It's going to be tough for India to win the WC, says Richards

India started off as a favourite in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 but now I have my own serious doubts, given its performances against England and South Africa in the league matches, said the legendary Sir Vivian Richards. “It is really going to be tough for India to win the World Cup,” he asserted. 

The former West Indies captain felt that India badly needed another bowler like Dale Steyn or Shaun Tait (to support strike bowler Zaheer Khan) who can blast the batsmen away in the death overs. 

Sir Richards also defended Indian captain M.S. Dhoni for deciding to give the last over to Ashish Nehra against South Africa. “That is cricket. Suppose, if Dhoni had given the ball to say Harbhajan Singh and he too got hit then the same people would have said why did he ignore a fast bowler,” Sir Richards said. 

“And I liked the way Dhoni defended his move. He stood for the player under question instead of criticising him. That is the way a captain should be,” he added. 

Attitude change

 

On the match between India and the West Indies in Chennai on Sunday, Richards said that all he would be looking for is real good cricket from the two sides. “Obviously, West Indies played vastly superior cricket against minnows Bangladesh. What was important from that win was the all-round professional performance and I see a definite change in their attitude,” Sir Richards said. 

On any word of advice to Kieron Pollard, the stylish batsman said: “I can only say that I spoke to him for just a few minutes. But, what impressed me was his statement that though he was essentially a T20 cricketer, the 50-over format gave him more time at the crease. 

“And if he stays there for long, I can tell you he could be the most explosive batsman around in this World Cup,” Sir Richards said. 

On the possibility of Australia captain Ricky Ponting making history by leading his team to a hat-trick of World Cup wins, Richards said: “He is out to win this cup after the Ashes drubbing. Never under estimate the Aussies. I am sure if Australia wins the World Cup, Ricky would be a big hero again back home,” he said with his typical smile. 

The cricketing great of yesteryear also felt that there was not one team which could be said to dominate world cricket like how the West Indies or the Australians have done. 

“I loved the way India played in South Africa. The Indians look good but they have to play really consistently to dominate the game over a long period,” Sir Richards said. 

On how he felt to be adored in the land of Sachin Tendulkar, a very serious Sir Richards remarked: ‘I never saw Sir Bradman. But I have seen Sachin bat. 

He is a truly special player in all formats, a genius,” was the rich compliment from the original Master Blaster.” 

Not surprisingly, Richards signed off reminding that he felt small the day Kapil's Devil's India won the 1983 World Cup against Clive Lloyd's West Indies. 

“It was a bad day in the office for us. We were not complacent. I remember not one of them had come to say hard luck to us. 

“It was all about winners. And, mind you I am a sore loser, very passionate about winning any game.”