Indian batting line-up strongest ever: Kapil

India are one of the top favourites to win the ICC Cricket World Cup, starting from February 19 in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Kapil Dev, under whom India won their only World Cup in 1983, is sure that his country has a good chance of claiming the title this time.

“India have match-winning players in their side,” Kapil told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Dubai on Thursday. With the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohi and Yusuf Pathan, Indians do have a formidable batting line-up, but their bowling seems to be a big concern.

“Their bowling is a bit weak, but batting is so strong. I am not saying this because I am an Indian but I feel this is the strongest batting lineup we have ever seen in world cricket. I would like to see them play well…play to their ability. They have a few weak points, but when you have every thing, then you are the champion.”

Kapil, India’s greatest all-rounder ever, said teams like England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan could also come up with brilliant performances in the tournament.

“Three-four teams have more edge on other teams.

“England are coming up with a very good squad. I always have a lot of faith in Sri Lanka. Australia are not the same team that they used to be. South Africans showed that they have some bowlers who could run through a side. And one unpredictable team is Pakistan. They can upset anybody,” the former Indian captain added.

Regarding the timing of India’s recently-concluded South African series, Kapil said: “I think now it is too late to talk about that. I hope the series in South Africa would have benefitted the Indian team.

“I am not a person to talk about the negatives, but the board should have thought about it long back before they had agreed to this series. Now it is over. So I would like to take more positives from the tour. Yousuf Pathan did extremely well and I was also impressed with some of the bowlers. I think the boys played extremely well.”

Asked about Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s chances of emulating his World Cup success, Kapil said. “Why not? He is a fine cricketer and a fantastic captain. I wish him all the luck. I hope he can achieve everything.”

pradeep@khaleejtimes.com