We bring views from some of the biggest cricket experts in India on what lies in store for the Men in Blue in the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia in just a few days time. M S Dhoni’s men begin their campaign by taking on bitter rivals Pakistan in the opening match on February 15th.
Venkatesh Prasad, former Indian Medium Pacer
“You just have to bowl stump-to-stump. There is no need to try anything extraordinary. In the shorter format, you just got to keep it tight and not give any width to the batsmen. That is the consistency our bowlers need to develop”
“Having said that, the boys have got a gap for about two weeks. They have got the time to fix the flaws detected during the Australia tour. They might not have done well so far but World Cup is a new beginning. Just one win in a high intensity game against Pakistan, would give their morale a huge boost for the subsequent games.”
Javagal Srinath, Indian Fast Bowling Legend
“I am sure they will put their might behind even this time. They have the team. It’s all about getting their act together. If the bowlers do well I am sure the batsmen will definitely perform. It’s a batsmen game by the end of the day. If the bowlers do well I am sure this trophy can be retained by India.”
“Bowling will be very crucial. We need three fast bowlers to do really well. Bowlers win matches on many occasions. I hope Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharama, Mohammed Shami and Stuart Binny put their might behind and do well for the team.”
“We are strong and there is no doubt about it. There is a decent amount of experience and they have spent enough time in Australia. I think they have understood the conditions better now and they know what to do and I am sure they will do well.”
“The last time people said that the country which hosts World Cup, would never win. That was the sentiment that was expressed but I think that has changed. Under pressure India delivered last time. To win the World Cup in India was not that easy. They won many games to become champions.”
Bishen Singh Bedi, former India Captain
“Having been in Australia for two-and-a-half-months they have not really touched base with the nucleus of the team. Five or six players should form the crux of the team, who remain a certainty in every match. One or two changes can happen on the pretext of changing a combination or resting a player but by and large six or seven players should be constant throughout and that hasn’t happened so far.”
“I feel pretty strongly that why is this team being tested so late. You are testing the fitness of players a day before the warm-ups begin and you are leaving things too late. This should have happened very early.”
“Even if changes have to happen on medical grounds then it is too late. There is hardly any time left for players to be sent back and replacements to be flown in.”
“They have to individually raise their self-esteem. How they do it it’s entirely up to them. Self-esteem is a very individual effort. Self-esteem is how good you feel about yourself in your own eyes. Not in the eyes of the public, or the media or the coach or captain.”
“That will only happen if you have done something good and that hasn’t happened so far. Self-esteem is very low and I am concerned about that. To raise ones self-esteem is to cross a big psychological barrier.”
Sourav Ganguly, former India Captain
“All these boys (the individuals in the team) are fabulous individuals and are resilient on the field. This quality will make them strong contenders for the title again and MS Dhoni under pressure is a totally different player, it brings the best out of him.”
“The main reason why in 2003 we gelled as a team was because, there was no ego involved. When there are big players in the dressing room, all turning out for the same team, egos take a back seat. I was fortunate enough to lead champions, the likes of (Rahul) Dravids, (Sachin) Tendulkars and (Anil) Kumbles.”
