Harbhajan: Praised by Doshi

Doshi may not have had much involvement with Indian cricket since his retirement for the simple reason that he now lives in England. But his knowledge of the game is impressive and his views on the state of Indian cricket remain forthright.

Having started his career in the shadow of the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi Doshi only made his debut for India when he was past his 30th birthday. Despite this he finished his career with more then 100 wickets to his name. He played cricket the hard way and was instrumental in many of India’s Test and one day wins in the early eighties. Now a successful business man Dilip Doshi was in India a few days ago where he spoke to Cricket365's Suresh Parekh.

1. Another World Cup round the corner, how would you rate the India chances?
I would rate India as one of the top four favorite teams for this World Cup. They have great potential and if the players play their cricket hard and to their potential, then yes I do believe that India have a chance.

2. Would you consider Indian batting line-up as the key-factor for the India’s chances?
Yes definitely the batting is the key factor but I personally believe that the responsibility is on the bowlers. They have to restrict the opposition to a maximum 270 runs because you can not ask your batsmen to chase the scores like 320 or 300 plus all the time. India might have achieved that score two or three times last year but it does not mean that batsmen will be up to the chase every time.

3. Would you advocate Sachin to open the innings again in the World Cup?
I think he should open the India innings. He is the one player who has great fast reflexes and he has proved his class everywhere. I believe he and Ganguly should open the Indian innings for this cricket’s mega show as they are the most successful pair and their is a great understanding between them.

4. Are you happy with the team selection for the Cup?
There is nothing wrong with the team I would say. But I believe that we need one more good medium fast bowler like Zaheer Khan. I think he has improved like anything but I am bit disappointed that Ashish Nehra and Ajit Agarkar have not much improved as much. One more bowler like Zaheer Khan would give a really good balance to the side.

5. Who has the best chance in this World Cup?
It is very difficult to say that this or that team will win. But definitely the host team will have a home advantage. Also you cannot ignore the defending champion Australia as their fighting qualities are unparalleled. Pakistan too, on their day, are a world class team.

6. So finally Indian cricketers signed the contracts. This has been a very complicated and protracted situation what are your comments on it?
I think the game is greater than everything. But I personally believe that things should well be cleared within players and the body and above all I believe that the matter should not reach the point where you need an advocate.

7. So you think that Indian cricketers were right during the ICC cup?
I think they were right at that time. Unilateral decisions are not the way forward and the players' confidence need to be won. This was not the case in that cup.

8. Now the Indian cricketers too formed their association?
So what’s wrong with that. In England a players association was formed long back. As long as they are going to work for the welfare of the cricketers and the game then everything is right.

9. You were one of the most successful Indian spinners. What are your impressions of the current spinners?
I think Harbhajan Singh is going to improve more and one can hope better performances from him in the future.

10. But what about the current picture?
If we don’t have many spinners I blame Indian captains for that. I think no Indian captain has handled the spinners well. Spinners need to bowl long spells. You can not expect good results from the Indian spinners if you are going to give them a spell of four-five overs at various intervals.

11. What about Anil Kumble? You were the one who said that he is not a spinner in the strickest sense of the word?
No, I didn’t say that. I only said that he is the one who is not turning the bowl. He is already a great bowler in both forms of the game and I believe if he can bowl the genuine leg-break he could have been an even more deadly bowler than what he is.

12. Would you subscribe to the view that there should be a academy for the spinners as after all India is the land of Bedi and Chandra?
But those spinners have not come from any academies. India is no doubt traditionally a country of spinners but there is no point establishing a special academy for the spinners. I think if we handle them well they will come up.

13. The last decade Indian cricket has seen both local and foreign coaches at the helm of the side. Which do you think is the answer?
I think India always need a foreigner to coach the team. I think if the coach is Indian it is very likely that things will be taken lightly or for granted but if you a foreigner then he will be hard task master.

14: Finally, a word about the captaincy of Saurav Ganguly?
I think he is the finest Indian captain that I have come to know and I would have been proud to play under him. I think he is the one captain who has been able to make difficult yet correct  decisions that may have flown in the face fo popular opinion. But that is what you can expect from a captain who leads his side from the front. I really like his style of leading the side.