Former Indian team captain and ace spinner, Anil Kumble expressed confidence in Team India to win the World Cup.
“The heart says India, but we can’t discount the home teams Australia and New Zealand.” The South African team, which has “question marks on their mind than the game”, will also be there if they hold their nerves.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Kumble, who is here for a camp to select spinners, hoped that the Indian team will retain players who have played in both tests and one-dayers in the World Cup squad. There are around 12 players who have been playing together in the shorter format for the last one year and they know their strength and weaknesses. “If things goes well and qualify for knockouts then it’s a matter of holding your nerve and doing the best on that day. And India has done that in the last World Cup.”
On the retirement of M.S. Dhoni from the test, Mr. Kumble said is quite difficult to be a captain, wicketkeeper and batsman and manage fort. “It is never easy captaining the Indian team which he has done for six years.” Mr. Dhoni needed his mind to be fresh for the World Cup and “his comfort zone is the shorter format”.
Proved
Appreciating the feat of K.L. Rahul scoring the century in the Sydney Cricket Ground, Mr. Kumble said he was glad Mr. Rahul got an opportunity to open the innings, which “is natural to him”. Of Mr. Rahul’s performance in the first test, Mr. Kumble said it was all of nerves. “He has never batted at that position. When you sit and wait, the mind will be constantly thinking.” It was fairly an over-bearing task to come to out and bat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “I am glad he has done well.” There will be more representation from Karnataka in the Indian team as the state has been doing well as a team in the domestic tournaments.
