Dhoni says-This is among the most difficult tours

Birmingham (The Telegraph): Down 0-2 and losing key players with injuries, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday conceded that the current England series is one of the most difficult tours of his career.





Speaking at a media conference, on Tuesday, Dhoni said that given the complicated situation 'injuries and off-form' it was "among the most difficult tours."
On the eve of the third Test, which begins at Edgbaston, from Wednesday, Dhoni also believed that the trouble-torn city of Birmingham, disturbed by the riots, was not something that the players should be concerned of.


Terming it to be an unfortunate time, the captain insisted that preparing for the game was the only the job that his team are concentrating on.
England and India are staying in hotels in the city centre but only Andrew Strauss, the England captain, and Alastair Cook, the vice-captain, ventured out on Monday night.
They went to a barbecue hosted by Jonathan Trott, the Warwickshire batsman who lives nearby.
The advice of England's security team has been to remain in their hotel and Strauss insisted his 
team felt "very safe".





The England and the Wales Cricket Board (ECB), however, confirmed that the Test is still on course to go ahead. "Everything is as normal at this stage. We will continue on that basis unless we are told anything different," the ECB said.
The following are excerpts
Thoughts on the third Test


If you see everything, the injuries, the fitness, the form and all, we have quite a few things to worry about. I can say it's among the most testing tours. It's of course difficult to exactly recall what it was like in New Zealand, South Africa or Australia.
The closest that you have faced you remember the most, but you expect that at this level. It's about the physical aspect. However, more and more you play, the more experienced you get to train your mind to get out of it. You get to know the measures what needs to be done.
On ways to tackle the pressure
Of course, it's not easy. There are different ways for different individuals. Some prefer to have extra nets while others prefer to take mind off cricket. Whatever suits an individual.
The game-plan





The wickets so far haven't assisted spinners. So it pushes us to think if we can play four fast bowlers. There is a problem with slow over-rate. But that doesn't bother us, what's important is we select the eleven suited to the track and do well.
On comeback-man Sehwag


He has been practising everyday which means he is available for practice. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't play. He is a very dynamic player. He backs his instincts to play shots irrespective of which bowler he is facing.
He looks at the ball and gives it the treatment it deserves. He is an aggressive opener who has a big impact on the opposition bowlers. He is a very good batsman to have in the side.
Not utilising the advantageous situations


We were in a position we could dominate in both the games. If we get into a similar situation, it's important we go ahead and put further pressure on their batting which is quite deep. It's important how we bowl between 45-80 overs.
The riots in Birmingham


We were outside shopping in the city centre (on Monday). We came back and had plans to go for dinner. But Zak, our security officer who is with us, said it's better to stay in the hotel. There's quite good food in the hotel, so we didn't really complain ' and made the most of the evening.