Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev in was in Dubai to announce the live coverage of ICC World Cup 2011 through Channel 2 Group’s Cricket Radio. Here he answered some questions from the media and while answering a question from the media, he added that India has the strongest batting line up in this World Cup.
He said: “The Indian team for the World Cup is the strongest batting line-up we have ever seen in world cricket. It looks a balanced team though the bowling is a bit weak. So if they can play to their abilities they can emerge world champions.”
When asked whether Dhoni could repeat his achievement of 1983, Mr. Dev said that Dhoni could achieve much more than what he himself did. In his opinion Dhoni is not only a good captain but a fine cricketer and shall achieve whatever the 29 year old has ever wished for.
Kapil Dev further put in that it would be unfair to call any of the teams a dark horse. He considers three to four teams who are at an equal footing in this World Cup. He says that England have put up a good team, Australia has not remained the same team as it used to be, South Africa too has developed a bowling line up which can run through any side. Pakistan too, he adds, can surprise any team any day.
As far as India playing in front of her home crowd was considered, he feels that the situation is a double edged sword.
Yusuf Pathan, who was interviewed at some other place, resonated Kapil’s idea, that playing in front of the home crowd could mean excess pressure. However the 28 year old further put in that they as a team would not be thinking of the pressure, but instead would try and leverage the public support towards a better performance.
Talking about his recent form, the Indian all-rounder added that he was happy with his recent form and the fact that he could contribute to the team gave him satisfaction.
On being asked whether he would change his bat to suit the sub-continent conditions, the player with brute force, said that he always plays with the same bat irrespective of the conditions he was playing in.
Pathan, no doubt, will be playing an important part in the upcoming World Cup.
Tags: Cricket, Cricket Radio, ICC World Cup 2011, India, Indian Team, Kapil Dev, Yusuf Pathan
