As we fly out to the West Indies this week, there is just one question in everybody’s mind: Will India win the World Cup and repeat the glorious feat of 1983?
I am definitely no astrologer, but going by the team’s morale, I can tell you that there is a very good chance. Our confidence as a winning combination is back — particularly after our series win against Sri Lanka.
Let’s take a quick look at the team. We are a very balanced lot, have the best openers and wicketkeeper, our middle order is very strong and we have the best combination of seamers and spinners.
I would say spin is the mantra that India will bank on — particularly on the wickets in the Caribbean, which are slow and low. We have two frontline spinners in our squad and a the rest are good enough to share the burden.
This World Cup will also be the last for Anil Kumble’s and he would be eager to bow out in glory.
To add teeth to the bowling mix, there is Sachin Tendulkar, whom the West Indian legend Garfield Sobers recently described as a very clever bowler. There will of course be modest contributions from Yuvraj Singh and me.
{{/usCountry}}To add teeth to the bowling mix, there is Sachin Tendulkar, whom the West Indian legend Garfield Sobers recently described as a very clever bowler. There will of course be modest contributions from Yuvraj Singh and me.
{{/usCountry}}What is the weakest link of Team India? I would say it’s the fielding. We’re all working hard on our fielding as we cannot afford to be lax on the field if we want to win the Cup this time.
Every facet of our performance has to be just right if we want to bag the honours. The battle lines are drawn. We’re all preparing ourselves in the best manner possible; to do what it takes to come back with the Cup.
Virender Sehwag would be writing exclusively for the Hindustan Times.