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Rediff.com  » Cricket » India should hope that wickets remain slow during WC: Dravid

India should hope that wickets remain slow during WC: Dravid

Source: PTI
January 28, 2015 21:59 IST
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VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

Surprised with the nature of wickets in Australia, former India captain Rahul Dravid, said that team India should hope that the wickets remain slow during the World Cup.

However, Dravid was of the view that playing in different surfaces will pose a challenge of its own.

"It's going to be a challenge, it is not easy. You are playing in very different conditions," Dravid told reporters on sidelines of an event.

It was a bit "strange" to see that most of the Australian wickets were slow during the recently-concluded Test series and Dravid hopes the pitches behave in the same manner to assist India's most potent weapon, spin.

"That's the advantage India has, if the wickets stay slower and lower as we have seen in the Test matches, then the spinners will come into the mix and India can afford to play two and even three spinners," he said.

Rohit Sharma of India celebrates as he reaches his century during the One Day International match between Australia and India. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Dravid expressed confidence that the Indian team has the right combination to reach the quarter-finals. After that it would be only about "three good days" of performance, he said.

He cautioned that hosts Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have 60-70 per cent chance to lift the cup.

"It is going to be who handles pressure better and who handles the must-win games better. India will make to the quarter-final, and I think they have got the players to do it," he said.

Ishant Sharma. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Dravid acknowledged that the bowling has been lacklustre in the recent past, but pointed out that the return of Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja was a positive development.

"I am not overly worried about form right now. We had a few issues with injuries with couple of batsmen and bowlers getting injured, it's been hard for them, but I am not overly concerned," Dravid said.

Stressing the importance of team work, he said one celebrated player like Dhoni or his deputy Kohli cannot win the cup alone. At least six players will have to hit their best forms, he added.

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