India World Cup favourites, say greats
NEW DELHI: "The Cup that counts". The mood for the cricket World Cup 2011 to be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was set at a glittering function on Thursday.
At the event, while ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat spoke about how excited the entire ICC team was as it tried to put together a 'memorable' World Cup, host broadcaster ESPN-STAR Sports MD Manu Sawhney revealed that it would be the biggest cricket production of all times.
However, the piece de resistance was the coming together of four World Cup winners, three of the winning captains - Vivian Richards (1975, 79), Imran Khan (1992), Arjuna Ranatunga (1996) and Kapil Dev (1983) - on one platform. The cricket greats not only shared their Cup experiences, they also pulled up each other with funny and interesting reminiscences, besides dwelling on the upcoming jamboree.
The legends felt that India were the top favourites for the Cup but also struck a note of caution regarding their chances. "India are very strong, they playing at home and have good bench strength and so are the favourites with Sri Lanka a close second," felt Imran. He, however, said that the pressure of being a favourite could be too much sometimes. "The best teams don't necessarily win always. The important thing is how you cope with the pressure because the pressure at a World Cup is different from any other," Imran said.
The former Pakistani captain also felt that the upcoming South African tour would serve India's interest well ahead of the Cup. "It's always good to test yourself against quality opposition before a big event. It toughens you up."
For Ranatunga, Sri Lanka were as big a favourite as anyone. He, interestingly, felt that playing at home could be India's nemesis. "India tend to falter when playing in front of a huge home crowd." Kapil, meanwhile, thought that India should avoid injuries before the Cup. "We're playing too much cricket and that can lead to injuries to key players."
Meanwhile, a candid Lorgat said that he did not realise that the World Cup would generate so much excitement so early. "When I look around in the ICC headquarters, I can see the excitement in everyone. In fact, even Australian and English cricketers, now playing the high-pressure Ashes series, have started thinking about the World Cup." Lorgat also informed that many promotional events would be held, and not only in the sub-continent, to create a buzz about the event.
Sawhney informed that a 350 strong workforce would be in operation to cover the tournament. Among 'several firsts' that Sawhney listed would be high-definition (HD) telecast of the event. "At least, 27 cameras will be there to cover every match and 37 games will be simulcast in Hindi," he said. Meanwhile, the Decision Review System (DRS) will be used for the first time in a World Cup.
LEGEND SPEAK
Imran on Javed Miandad: Javed has not changed a bit. He is exactly what he was when he was 18. The process of evolution has bypassed him. But he is a fighter. I never had any problem with him; it's a question about how you handle him.
Kapil on Sachin Tendulkar: I hope he plays in this World Cup... He is the most important player in the Indian team if he is not injured. You never know, he may play in the 2015 World Cup too.
Imran on Viv Richards: Greatest batsman of all times for me...I didn't see Bradman bat. The difference between Viv and all other batsmen in our time was that while the others wanted to just defend against fast bowling, Viv would attack the fast men. He never betrayed any nervousness on the field, any fear.
Ranatunga on his tactics against Aussies during 1996 WC: We wanted to play Australia in the final because they had refused to (a security issue) come to Colombo for the opening ceremony of the 1996 Cup. Australia were very strong, hit us hard, even verbally and I thought of firing some of my own salvos. So, at a PC, I said that Warne and the Waugh brothers were highly overrated cricketers. It worked nicely as they began thinking about what I said. In the final at Lahore, when I walked into bat, some Australian players said, 'Here comes the greatest cricketer in the world... we're all overrated ones.' My plan was working well. I went to Aravinda who was batting at the other end and told him there was nothing to worry. You just keep batting.
Viv on the great catch Kapil took to dismiss him in the 1983 final: It was an outstanding catch and among all Indian fielders, only Kapil could have taken that.
