Dhoni backs Chawla to perform in World Cup

NEW DELHI - India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Wednesday defended the inclusion of Piyush Chawla in the World Cup squad saying the leg-spinner’s experience of playing consistently in the domestic circuit would help the team in the tournament.

Chawla, 22, was one of the surprise inclusions in the 15-member squad as he had been out of the team for two-and-a-half years. Selectors reasoned that besides two off-spinners Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin, Chawla would provide a variation to the spin attack.

Dhoni concurred and said he was happy with the team selection, specially Chalwa’s.

“I am happy with the team selection. Piyush was out of the national team for a long time, but he has consistently played in the domestic tournaments and that will help the Indian team,” said Dhoni during a promotional event here Wednesday.

Under pressure over his surprise inclusion in the team, Chawla also said that he would prove his critics wrong in the World Cup starting Feb 19.

Chawla, who made his return to international cricket with the ODI series in South Africa last month, said pressure would help him to perform better in the tournament. He featured only in final ODI in Centurion that India lost by 33 runs via the Duckworth Lewis Method.

“Whenever you play for India there is pressure. And whenever there is pressure there is a performance. I have always proved my critics wrong and I know that can perform again in the World Cup,” said Chawla.