February 2, 2011 1:09 PM

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World Cup Cricket: Dhoni confident of his team

Four years ago, India crashed out of the World Cup cricket tournament at the preliminary stage itself, weighed down by the pressure of expectations. But current captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confident his team would handle the burden better in the upcoming mega-event.Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai on Tuesday, Dhoni said India will take pressure as an added responsibility and will stick to the basics and prepare well. He said, the Indian squad has the potential to do well in the February 19 to April 2 showpiece event. The Ranchi-born wicket-keeper batsman, however, refused to predict whether India will go on and regain the coveted crown after a gap of 28 years. Dhoni said he never predicts what will happen in cricket. He said the team members believe in each other and will take each game in the right frame of mind. Dhoni brushed aside concerns about India's opening match against co-hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19. In the previous edition of the World Cup in the West Indies, the Rahul Dravid-led side got knocked out following a shock defeat at the hands of their eastern neighbours. Dhoni said past is past and he is now more optimistic. Dhoni refused to agree with England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who criticised the World Cup schedule for long gaps between matches. The Indian skipper preferred to look at it as an opportunity to recover from niggles and relax. India play their second match in Group B, against England at Bangalore, eight days after they kick off the mega-event in Dhaka against Bangladesh. Later on, Dhoni and his men play three matches in close succession — against Ireland, the Netherlands and South Africa. The matches will be between March 6 and 12 and in different centres at home.

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