India’s current form shouldn’t hurt World Cup 2015 chances: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that the poor form of Team India in New Zealand will not deter them from defending the ICC World Cup title in 2015.

India has not won a match yet in their of New Zealand, losing the ODI series 4-0 and trailing 0-1 in the two match Test series. But he is happy that Team India is adapting to the conditions and putting on a great fight against New Zealand in the ongoing Test series. Gavaskar also said that this should not be taken as a scale to predict how team India would perform in the World Cup 2015.

“This tour and one to Australia next summer pre-World Cup would be crucial to India’s development,” said Gavaskar.

Gavaskar feels that after the retirement of some legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, India has learnt to move on.

“You can already see they’re making changes and learning from the ODI series. They’re starting to show they’re adapting to the conditions and the bowling and I think the team is really keen to learn and improve and that’s a great sign,” said Gavaskar.

The former captain also said that India had become a much better fielding side after their 2011 World Cup triumph.

“In 2011 when India won, the fielding wasn’t up to standard,” he said.

“It was some of the best Indian players of all time that helped them win the tournament, but not the fielding. The fielding is so much better now and those younger players are going to save extra runs in the field and run extra runs when they’re batting.”

“They’re talented and that increased exposure over the next 12 months,” he concluded.