John Wright picked hosts, Australia and New Zealand, as favourites to win the title.
Former
coach of the Indian team, John Wright believes that India's bowlers
must complement the team's batting in order to successfully defend the
ICC Cricket World Cup. Wright said that India have gotten the best
possible preparation for the mega event in Australia-New Zealand by
playing a four-match Test series and the upcoming ODI tri-series and now
need to put in consistent performances to bring back the cup.
Comparing the team that won the title in 2011 with the current crop, Wright said the exciting batting line-up, along with a more experienced captain in MS Dhoni will need to be assisted by the other two departments in order to mount a serious title defense.
The former India coach picked Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as India's key players for the tournament beginning on February 14. Wright also said that he was pleased to see Kohli doing well as captain in the recently concluded Test series in Australia. "The most encouraging sign about Kohli is that he has performed as a captain. It is verydifficultto lead the side if you are not performing. The impressive thing about him is that he leads withperformance."Talking about Rohit, Wright said: "I know what he can do. He is a match winner and beautiful to watch."
Meanwhile, the 64-year old hoped that players who had been picked ahead of Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag justify their inclusion. "I heard Yuvraj is doing well in domestic cricket. If you drop a player like him, you just hope that those who get the opportunity, perform. He is a serious player. I'm sure his selection created a lot of discussion during the selection meeting." Wright said.
When coaxed to pick his favourites for the big event, Wright hoped for a strong showing from New Zealand. "To begin with, the New Zealand team has been playing some exciting cricket. We have got Brendon (McCullum) performing brilliantly and have Kane (Willamson) and Ross (Taylor) in top form. The young bowlers have done really well, especially the seamers," he said.
"You look at all the teams on paper and you tend to go with the home teams, Australia and New Zealand in this case. It was the same when India won and it will be a challenge for them along with the likes of Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa," Wright said.
Wright was also humble enough to say that he was at thetwilightof his coaching career, ruling himself out from the expected long list of candidates for theIndian coachs job after Duncan Fletcher departs post the World Cup.
"I heard they were talking about Michael Hussey too. I think there will be a lot of names doing the rounds. I am probably in the too old basket," he signed off.
Comparing the team that won the title in 2011 with the current crop, Wright said the exciting batting line-up, along with a more experienced captain in MS Dhoni will need to be assisted by the other two departments in order to mount a serious title defense.
"That team had been playing together for a longer period of time. This team is more unknown. Batting wise, it looks as exciting as the one in 2011. Dhoni has had more leadership experience on ODIs. But, a lot will depend on taking those early wickets and holding on to the catches," Wright said."There will be two new white balls, you have to take advantage of that. You want to be taking early wickets, otherwise the game runs away from you," said the former New Zealand captain who is in India to look for fresh talent as a coach for the IPL team, Mumbai Indians.
The former India coach picked Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as India's key players for the tournament beginning on February 14. Wright also said that he was pleased to see Kohli doing well as captain in the recently concluded Test series in Australia. "The most encouraging sign about Kohli is that he has performed as a captain. It is verydifficultto lead the side if you are not performing. The impressive thing about him is that he leads withperformance."Talking about Rohit, Wright said: "I know what he can do. He is a match winner and beautiful to watch."
Meanwhile, the 64-year old hoped that players who had been picked ahead of Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag justify their inclusion. "I heard Yuvraj is doing well in domestic cricket. If you drop a player like him, you just hope that those who get the opportunity, perform. He is a serious player. I'm sure his selection created a lot of discussion during the selection meeting." Wright said.
When coaxed to pick his favourites for the big event, Wright hoped for a strong showing from New Zealand. "To begin with, the New Zealand team has been playing some exciting cricket. We have got Brendon (McCullum) performing brilliantly and have Kane (Willamson) and Ross (Taylor) in top form. The young bowlers have done really well, especially the seamers," he said.
"You look at all the teams on paper and you tend to go with the home teams, Australia and New Zealand in this case. It was the same when India won and it will be a challenge for them along with the likes of Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa," Wright said.
Wright was also humble enough to say that he was at thetwilightof his coaching career, ruling himself out from the expected long list of candidates for theIndian coachs job after Duncan Fletcher departs post the World Cup.
"I heard they were talking about Michael Hussey too. I think there will be a lot of names doing the rounds. I am probably in the too old basket," he signed off.
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