JOHANNESBERG: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has told India to improve their fielding in the Champions Trophy.

“I’m not saying we can’t field but... we will be asking everyone to raise their standards by 20 per cent,” Dhoni told reporters on Saturday. “Fielding can really contribute to your success. If you don’t give away those extra 10 to 15 runs, or you make it look like you have saved 20 to 30 runs in the field, it can give you a vital cushion.”

India start their Group A campaign against arch rivals Pakistan in Centurion next Saturday before meeting Australia two days later and West Indies on September 30.

Dhoni’s team can call on coach Gary Kirsten’s vast knowledge of local conditions in the 50-over tournament, the former batsman having played 185 one-dayers for South Africa. “It definitely helps that Gary played here

all his life and has plenty

of experience,” said the skipper. “We have been gathering information from him and he knows what will happen at certain venues, we are lucky to have him,” he added.

India, missing Virender Sehwag due to injury, have made several changes to their batting order in recent games and Dhoni said they may continue with that tactic. “We have shifted the batting order quite a few times recently and it may be the same in this tournament,” he said.

There has been widespread media speculation the 50-over cricket could be on the way out because of the increasing popularity of the Twenty20 format but Dhoni has other ideas.

“The question about 50-over cricket goes on in the media and will stay for a while. Every press conference you know the question will definitely pop up,” said Dhoni. “I think 50-over cricket is here to stay, I feel it is quite interesting. It’s a format where you can’t afford to be too flashy, you need to be technically sound and pace your innings.”