India start as favourites in the coming series against Pakistan on the strength of their batting and bowling, but the series could get close if the visitors played to their potential, former Australian skipper Steve Waugh said on Thursday.
"India start as favourites. They are a very good team. They have good young bowlers and are also a good batting side," Waugh said at a press conference.
Picking up young pacer Irfan Pathan for special praise, Waugh said that the Baroda bowler was "most promising".
On Pakistan, he said, the Inzamam-ul Haq-led side had "unlimited potential", but needed to properly harness their talent to make the series close.
Asked whether Pakistan's bleak performance in Australia would have an impact on their showing in India, Waugh said, "They played well in Australia in patches, but did not prove very competitive in the long run. They failed to sustain the momentum and handle the pressure. If they are consistent, they will do well in India".
While describing pacer Shoaib Akhtar as a "top bracket world class cricketer", Waugh said that the controversies surrounding him were internal affairs of the side, but added that coach Bob Woolmer had it in him to handle matters on discipline.
{{/usCountry}}While describing pacer Shoaib Akhtar as a "top bracket world class cricketer", Waugh said that the controversies surrounding him were internal affairs of the side, but added that coach Bob Woolmer had it in him to handle matters on discipline.
{{/usCountry}}"Bob Woolmer is a strong coach. It is his job to make his side disciplined," he said.