Image Courtesy: BCCI.tv
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men have got the biggest cheer before the 2015 World Cup, starting February 14 in Australia and New Zealand, with the cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has backed Team India for defending the title Down Under.
Tendulkar, who was the part of India’s World Cup winning squad in 2011, has expressed confidence in the young brigade. The batting maestro insisted that he is positive about Dhoni-led side’s chances in the forthcoming tournament and the team has talent to win the title.
“I know the cricketers in this Indian team,” Tendulkar told to the Hindu. “I know what they are capable of. This team will come back in Tests. I want to look at things with a positive mind-set.”
“Look at the way the Indians have come back in the one-day series,” the batting maestro pointed out. “The team has shown a lot of fight. India is definitely among the strong contenders for the title. It is a well-balanced side and is tough to beat.”
Most of the current Indian players have experience of playing in Australia and New Zealand. The men in blue last toured Australia in 2012 for playing the tri-series and participated in the bilateral series with the Black Caps earlier this year.
India showed they are a force to reckon with in the ongoing England tour and hammered the hosts in three ODIs. Tendulkar said that Team India is a balanced side and has quality players that can perform at different stages of the game.
“It is a versatile ODI team,” the former skipper said. “There is depth in batting and variety in bowling. And the fielding has been brilliant. If you look at batting, there is a good mix of the right and the left-handers. When a right-left combination is at the crease, it becomes a lot harder for the bowlers.”
“They have to find the right line,” he added. “In bowling, the Indians have been bowling well in partnerships. There are some good pace and spin options at different stages of the innings.”
