Chennai: Former Indian skipper Ravi Shastri believes Cheteshwar Pujara will have a key role to play in the 2015 World Cup down under. Shastri, who is pleased to see the Saurashtra batsman in the ODI squad for the Asia Cup, said Pujara would strengthen the top-order. “He could do the job for the team where one has to bat for long periods. By no stretch of imagination is he someone who can just grind the attack. He can be a totally different player in the one-day game. I believe that he is going to be one of our mainstays in the forthcoming World Cup,” he told the BCCI website.
Like other critics of Indian team, Shastri too slammed the toothless bowling unit and said it’s an area of concern ahead of the mega event. “India’s bowling is their weakest link. The lack of consistency in the bowling attack, whether it is pace or spin, is an area of concern. Attention will have to be given to identify bowlers who are fresh, hungry and who would stay that way twelve months down the line when the WC commences,” he added.
The former all-rounder said the absence of skipper M.S. Dhoni is a big blow to the side considering his record as a match-finisher at No.5 and No.6. “There is no other player who can bat at No. 5 and 6 in ODIs like he does. He is one of the best in the game. But with injuries come opportunities for other players,” said Shastri.
He added: “In this case Virat Kohli in a leadership capacity and Dinesh Karthik with the gloves as well as the bat. Kohli is one of the best young players in the world. The last two tours have only enhanced that reputation. He is someone who relishes captaincy. He likes responsibility and thrives on it. So this will be good exposure for him.”
Having faced nothing but defeat starting from the tour to South Africa, Shastri underlined the importance of Team India putting up a good show in the Asia Cup. “There is nothing like a win to put one back on track with a long season coming up. The result of this tournament is not going to have a direct effect on India’s WC performance but at least it will start putting things into perspective because it will be a tough tournament. India will be tested against tough teams in conditions which they all relish,” he concluded.
