We can win the World Cup if8230;

VADODARA, July 23: The most vital change that has come about in Indian cricket lately is the ability to convert imminent losses into vi...

VADODARA, July 23: 8220;The most vital change that has come about in Indian cricket lately is the ability to convert imminent losses into victories. It8217;s a complete turnaround, like in the finals of the Independence Cup in Colombo,8221; opined national team coach Anshuman Gaekwad.

That, he said, was his biggest achievement while reflecting on his nine months as coach.

In an exclusive interview to The Indian Express, he said the most important thing was that the 8220;boys are enjoying playing together, they are far more confident and have developed the ability to haul themselves out of a tight situation to win a match from a losing position, unlike in the past when we lost so many matches from a winning position8221;.

But Gaekwad is not satisfied with things as they stand and would like to see the players getting fitter and stronger. 8220;That will improve their agility on the field, their running between the wickets, their throwing and their overall performance. It will give them added confidence, which is sovital for winning matches.8221;

Gaekwad was optimistic about India8217;s chances in the World Cup next year provided 8220;we go there at least one month before the tournament starts to get acclamatised to the conditions8221;.

Elaborating on India8217;s World Cup prospects, he said: 8220;Srinath has been our main strike bowler and we are hoping he would continue to be so, even though Agarkar has shaped up very well. Dravid is technically so sound that there is no reason why he should not learn to improvise. And Kambli is a match-winner anytime. If I could have the three fit and in form, I think we could really win the World Cup.8221;

He had the highest praise for Sachin Tendulkar. 8220;Sachin is such a great player that he does not have to tell himself to play strokes. They come to him naturally. He has just to make sure of staying in the middle. But what sets him apart as a great player is he knows that a cricketer can develop bad habits at any time in his career, so he is always trying to learn, to improve, to do everything innewer ways, always striving to do things better and towards perfection.

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8220;He never talks about shopping, never talks about girls, but only cricket on or off the field. Even though he is such a great player, he never hesitates to come and ask me where he went wrong. He wants me to stand behind the nets when he8217;s batting and point out immediately if he his going wrong, so that he doesn8217;t waste time in correcting it.

8220;And success has not gone to his head. The moment any cricketer starts thinking he is great, starts swaggering or gets into modern fashions, he comes down. Cricket is a great leveller, it can bring anyone down anytime, nobody should fool around with it.8221;

When asked whether with the cricket calendar so crammed with tournaments before the World Cup, it might not burn out some players, he said there was this danger, but mostly with fast bowlers.

Probably the soundest advise that Gaekwad has given the members of the Indian team and which has perhaps contributed in no small measure totheir developing the winning habit is this: 8220;I told them not to worry about losing because the moment one starts worrying about losing, he has already lost. Every player giving his 100 per cent is what is most important.8221;