Indian hopes take flight to England

“We have selected the best 15 players, backed by a committed and unique combination of Anshuman Gaekwad (coach), Brijesh Patel (manager), Bobby Simpson (consultant) supported by the medical team of Dr Ravinder Chadha and Andrew Kokinos (physical trainer).

The team itself is led by Mohammad Azharuddin, the most experienced player in international cricket, who enjoys the confidence of everybody. I feel that this is best equipped team that we are sending to England since a long, long time,” Dungarpur opined.

The recent reverses at home and Sharjah wereconfined to the archives as the Indian think-tank — Azharuddin, Gaekwad and Patel — dwelt more on the challenges that lay ahead. Azhar repeatedly stressed the importance of the batting line-up to play to its potential if the team is to make an impact in the tournament.

“The conditions are going to be difficult in England. We should get used to cold climate at the earliest.

As I have stressed earlier, batting will be the key to the team’s success. We need to be positive and should concentrate on batting and fielding. Our fielding has definitely improved since the past six years, but we need to do better.”

On a more philosophical note, the skipper said: “Eventually, the team that plays better on the day coupled with a fair bit of luck wins.”

Terming the team as a well-balanced side’, Gaekwad opined: “It is a question of playing to our potential with greater application.”

Gaekwad felt the bowling attack will be the team’s strong point in the World Cup. “The batting department is still strong,but it ought to do well,” he emphasised.

Azhar laid to rest speculations whether Tendulkar would be asked to bat lower in the order. “He is our best player and he should get as many overs as possible.”

The tactical aspects would come into play once the team completes the practice matches lined up before the main event, according to Dungarpur. “The team would be playing matches against Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Yorkshire which would enable the team management to tactically assess the team’s adaptability to the conditions.”

Manager Brijesh Patel, who played the first two editions of the World Cup, felt the team’s 20-day camp in England would be a “big advantage.”

Dungarpur, who had addressed the team at a luncheon meeting earlier in the day impressed upon the players that they were on “the threshold of the most important cricketing assignment of the century.”

Earlier, the skipper of the 1983 World Cup winning squad Kapil Dev, conveyed his best wishes to the team while presentingthe Emirates Good Luck India’ book to Azharuddin. “This book which contains the collective wishes indicates what the country feels for the team,” remarked the highest wicket-taker in Tests.