Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar would be crucial to India's success in the upcoming World Cup and the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side was far ahead of the history-making 'Kapil's Devils' in terms of talent and experience, feels member of the 1983 Cup-winning side Balwinder Singh Sandhu.
Sandhu said apart from Tendulkar the present Indian team has
plenty of match -winners in Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan and skipper
Dhoni, who are capable of turning things around from a losing position.
"Tendulkar would be totally focusing on this World Cup. He
knows this is his last World Cup as four years later he may be mentally
fit but may not be physically there. He would give more than 100
per cent and would be very keen to perform. The man is known to
prepare well. His work ethics are superb. Others will get inspired
by his presence," Sandhu said on Monday.
"The guy(Tendulkar) will not allow the team to
be complacent,like Sunil Gavaskar did in 1983. There are also
brilliant players like Yuvraj, Yusuf and Dhoni who can bring the
team back from a losing position," the 54-year-old former pacer
said. Comparing the current team to the 1983 World Cup-winning side,
Sandhu said,
"In our days we (bowlers) had to think on our feet,
be good observers. We had to study the rival batsmen by watching
other matches where they played and form a strategy. Now this is done
by the support staff with the help of the video analysis and the
players have to implement the strategy. "Talent wise today's team
is way ahead. For example, in terms of ODI experience, a player like
Sachin Tendulkar has alone played more matches than all of our team
members put together."
Sandhu was also of the opinion that smart thinking was
needed to make the best use of batting powerplays and India should
field only one frontline spinner in Harbhajan Singh.
"Teams should be smart in using the batting powerplays which can make
a big impact. If there are too many spinners in the side when the
powerplay is taken, the team will be in trouble.
"I expect India to field three seam bowlers along with Harbhajan Singh
as the alone spinner with the remaining 10 overs shared among floaters
like Yuvi and Raina," he said.
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