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I played Holi with my hair: Dhoni

March 16, 2006 21:05 IST

India's wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni says it is difficult keeping against Anil Kumble, but he is constantly improving.

"It is difficult to read him, but the more I keep against him, the better I read him. I am improving against him," Dhoni said in Mumbai on Thursday, at a function to name him brand ambassador of Bharat Petroleum.

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Asked how he is able to keep against both Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, who turn the ball in different directions, he replied: "Wicketkeeping comes naturally after keeping to them a bit. Kumble bowls at different speeds, so it is a bit more difficult, but I am getting used to it."

His new-look hairstyle was the centre of attention and it was only expected that someone would quiz him about it.

"It was too long, so it needed a trim. I changed the light brown colour to dark black; just that, nothing special.

"I didn't play Holi, so I played Holi with my hair," the 24-year-old said.

The Jharkhand wicketkeeper revealed that he is a bike freak, but also owns two four-wheelers, a Mahindra Scorpio and Mistubishi Pajero.

"But if given the choice, I would prefer a bike," he added.

Dhoni took the cricketing world by storm since arriving in international cricket last year. He has scored 1133 runs in 35 ODIs at 53.95 and 365 runs in eight Tests at 36.50, while displaying some brilliant glove work at the same time.

He feels the conditions in Mumbai will support India more than England.

"The conditions here are favourable for us since Mumbai supports spin."

Dhoni, who has already evoked comparison with ace Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist because of his explosive batting, says comparisons don't affect him.

"I just try to avoid comparisons. I just go out in the middle and play in my natural style, like Mahendra Singh Dhoni."

Harish Kotian in Mumbai