Current Indian team is one "for the future": Srinath

Javagal Srinath has said the current Indian team was the one "for the future" and could well be the next world champions.

Former Indian speedster Javagal Srinath has said the current Indian cricket team was the one "for the future" and could well be the next world champions.

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"The team we are having now is really amazing. This side is the team for the future and could well be the winning side of the 2007 World Cup," Srinath was quoted as saying by the local media on Saturday.

"Ganguly is an aggressive captain who picks the right people for the job," he said.

The paceman, who retired from international cricket last month, said age was one factor which prompted him to hang his boots.

"When you have reservations about your fitness, you think about your responsibilities. Having played cricket for so many years, it is my duty to be honest with my fitness and see where I stand.

"I was really unable to come up with an answer with respect to my fitness. The age factor was catching up and I was unable to go any further," he said soon after inaugurating the Under-11 LG Gulf Cup cricket academies' tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Asked whether he was one of the contenders for the job of bowling coach of India for the Australian tour, Srinath said it would have been too early for him to do so.

"I had stopped playing for India only six months back and it would not have been a great idea to induct me into the side as a coach.

Bruce Reid is the right person to take over as coach. There is no one better than him who can understand the psyche of the Australian batsmen."

Commenting on the recent lean patch of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Srinath said he was still the No 1 batsman in the world.

"There is no doubt about it. He is still the No 1 batsman," he said, adding that Dravid also has been a pillar of strength in the Indian team.

"At times when Sachin could not score, Rahul had filled in the void," he added.