Chennai: Kapil Dev wants M.S. Dhoni to accomplish what he failed to achieve in the 1987 World Cup — retaining the crown. The captain of the champion side in 1983 believes Dhoni’s young team can go all the way despite not having ideal preparation in the run-up to the big-ticket event.
Kapil spoke to this newspaper on India’s World Cup campaign.
Excerpts:
Q You were in the boots of Dhoni, by leading India into the 1987 World Cup as defending champions. Can Dhoni & Co. retain the crown down under?
Yes, they can. I am very confident about it. The team is full of young blood and the captain’s wealth of experience bodes well in limited-overs cricket. I don’t think being the defending champions puts a lot of pressure on India.
Anyway, this young side know how to handle pressure and expectations better than anybody else. They play a lot of cricket these days and the IPL has helped them cope with various situations. During the 1987 edition, all eyes were on us because the tournament was happening in the subcontinent. The harder you work, the less pressure you feel. If you don’t have faith in your side, you don’t go there and play.
Q Since India landed in Australia late November, they haven’t won a single match. Do you think they had good preparation in the run-up to the big tournament?
Losing the tri-series in which two good teams, Australia and England, were present is far from ideal preparation. It’s sad that the series didn’t go well for India. But I strongly believe factors such as form go out of the window once the World Cup starts. Let’s not think about what they did yesterday and dwell too much on that. They should use the available break well and start afresh in the new chapter. I am sure everyone in the team is highly motivated. If they get off to a good start against Pakistan, they can carry the confidence throughout the tournament.
Q Which is India’s problem area — batting or bowling?
There are no two ways about it. Team India don’t have a great bowling line-up. You can’t expect everything to be perfect in a team and at the same time you can’t depend on one department. It’s a team game and everyone has to chip in with his best efforts to win the championship. Good teams are never dependent on individuals. It’s all about how you overcome the shortcomings on a particular day. As we know our bowling is weak, the fielders have to step up to the plate.
A good fielding unit can lift the team’s spirits. Even chances that are tough should be grabbed. One brilliant catch or a run-out makes a world of difference in a match and it would give bowlers a lot of confidence. It’s going to be a long tournament and spinners will also have a role to play.
We don’t have a bowling spearhead but it doesn’t matter. There is no point sitting and crying about what you don’t have. I am sure these young boys will become spearheads one day. Let us hope the World Cup gives them better cricketing sense.
Q Do you see Stuart Binny as a genuine all-rounder?
Lack of an all-rounder is a real concern, but what Binny is doing at the moment is great. Sometimes, a bits-and-pieces bowler like Binny can do more damage to opponents than a so-called spearhead.
I always believe we need big commitment rather than big names.
Q Are we expecting too much from Virat Kohli?
I think when someone plays like Virat, people tend to expect more. Every time he steps into the middle, we expect him to get a hundred. It’s a double-edged sword; can make or break him. The situation Virat is in, has not been created by people, it’s his own performance that has earned him the status.
So he has to learn to live with that. There are a lot of debates about his batting position, on whether he should come in at No.3 or 4. For me, it doesn’t matter where Kohli bats as long as the team starts winning. I don’t mind India winning with Virat batting at No. 11. Winning is more important.
Q Have India found a settled opening pair going into the World Cup?
Not really. Our openers are struggling at the moment. I am more concerned about the fitness of some of the players than anything else. Again, there are a lot of suggestions about who should open (Ian Chappell says Binny should open with Rohit Sharma and Gavaskar wants to see R. Ashwin promoted). Do you think anybody can be more important than Dhoni, who knows what is best for the team? Let us not give too many suggestions to Dhoni. Let him take the call. He has been entrusted with the job and is the best.
Q Do you see Dhoni continuing to play one-dayers even after the World Cup?
Only he knows. I don’t think anyone was aware of his decision to retire from Test cricket.
Q Who are the other contenders for the World Cup?
New Zealand looked like dark horses for some time, but now they have emerged as one of the strong contenders. They are a very good side and know the conditions well like joint-hosts Australia. South Africa are in with a chance too. Generally, I don’t really pick anyone a favourite neither do I rule someone out. The World Cup is just a matter of who is playing well during the tournament.
