MOHALI: Virender Sehwag showed in the Chennai Test that he is the “most destructive batsman in the world,” said India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on the eve of the second Test against England starting at the PCA Stadium here on Friday.

“We know how dangerous Sehwag is, how he has scored so many runs in international cricket. We back him to play his shots even if he gets out in a few innings,” Dhoni said.

“We understand each other well as individuals but at the same time we enjoy each other’s success. We keep it simple, that makes us a real team. That happens once the team starts doing well.” Dhoni said the team was on a high because of the individuals taking up responsibilities. “There have been individuals who come up and take the responsibility. It is happening, that is what is important. A lot depended on the start when we chased the 387 runs in Chennai. Usually there are partnerships but we got the momentum,” he said.

“International cricket is tough but if a side is doing well it makes things easy. In the first Test, we didn’t win any session on the first three days. But we were on the mark in the last two days. We raised our standards. We took up the responsibility as a team. Sachin and Yuvraj batted well.’’ Dhoni said the team’s good performance also depended on a good start, particularly the match at Chennai. “If you don’t get the start it becomes difficult to save the game.

When a partnership is going, it looks easy but when a new batsman comes in it becomes an entirely different game.” According to Dhoni, the ranking doesn’t matter. “For us it is to go to the field and play to our potential. Ranking really doesn’t bother us, if we play consistently it will automatically go up.” On the possibility of change in the batting order, Dhoni said: “We are thinking about it, but as of now we don’t think we know.” Dhoni is not worried about Rahul Dravid’s poor form. “I think it is a matter of time. Once he passes that 30-run mark the confidence starts. Nobody can question his talent or determination. We have confidence in him, he will get runs at some time.” On the second Test, Dhoni said: “We won the Test against Australia here recently, so we can win. Everything starts new, the toss becomes vital."