Aunshuman Gaekwad: Outspoken

So he is certainly one man who can throw light on the Indian players, their plus and minus points  and their chances at the Cricket World Cup. Days before India were due to make their first appearance in world cricket's showpiece in the land of Pollocks, Gaekwad spoke the Cricket365’s Suresh Parekh.

1: You were the coach of the Indian team in the last World Cup, do you believe India can do better at this tournament?
Like many Indians I too was disappointed by the ercent dismal performances in Kiwi land. That really put India on the back foot. But I do believe and do assure you also that the wicket, atmoshphere and weather will be quite different in South Africa. Like many others I am very hopeful that India will at least reach to the semi finals.

2: Many new faces are there in this side compared to the one which played at the last World Cup - there is no Azhar, no Jadeja and no Robin Singh etc.
That’s true, but we have got some really good young blood who can be as good as anyone. Yuvraj, Shehwag, Kaif and Zaheer Khan have all proved their worth time and again.

3: So how confident are you really?
I tell you that India have eleven players who are all match winners in their own right. At least seven of them have emerged as match winner in the toughest situations. For me that is a very big plus point. I really believe that if all the Indian players play the game to the very best of their ablity, then this is the best side at the tournament - a side which is capable of beating the best in the world.

4: India look set to play with seven specialist batsmen in this World Cup and that obviously makes the batting line up very imposing?
Definitely that is the case. But I must say I am not in favour of playing with seven specialist batsmen. To me it's not a case of India playing with seven specialist batsmen but rather with one less regular bowler. We are playing with four bowlers and if one bowler has a bad day or his rhythm is not right for a particular match, then we will definitely discover that we are short of a bowler. In the present set up we have to use the available sources like Yuvraj, Sachin or Sehwag to complete the 50 overs. And what did we achieved in New Zealand playing with seven specialist batsmen?

5: So you mean that we are missing genuine all rounder in the side?
I think so. In the last few World Cups we always had Kapil Dev and after him we had Robin Singh who was good with the bat, who could bowl a tight spell and whose fielding was outstanding. Today we have Agarkar who can wield his willow but he is not all that reliable as a batsman. Meanwhile Sehwag and Yuvraj are first and foremost batsmen.

6: India look set to play Sachin at No.4. Do you think this is the way forward?
I don't think that it's fair. Sachin is the one player who is always hungry for the runs and no opener in the world likes to sit in the  dressing room for 30 overs. When I was opening the innings I never liked it when the team management wanted me to bat in other position. And although Sehwag is undoubtedly a great asset you have to ask what is he doing? A couple of good knocks out of 6-7 innings? Sachin was doing much better and he is the one who has traditionally been used to give good start ensuring that the rest of the players were playing with more confidence and authority.

7: How hopeful are you about the success of the Indian spinners there?
If you study the squads of most of the teams then you will realize that India has the two greatest spinners. Kumble’s experience and ability to bowl tightly will definitely be the plus point. Harbhajan Singh too will be a great help. He has now devloped good variations and both of them are capable of produce good 20-25 runs if needed as well. But I wonder if they will get a chance to play together?

8: Is the Indian fielding a little bit of a concern?
On certain days, yes, the Indian fielding is far from satisfactory. But in the current side we have some great fielders who can change the complexion of the match by taking breathtaking catches or effecting run outs. Yuvraj and Kaif are clearly rhw two best fielders in the side and rest of the players are not so bad. But definitely they need to throw themselves here and there.

9: Which is the most balanced side in this World Cup?
I think the Aussies are the best. They can even afford to drop a player like Steve Waugh. They have a great opening pair, a wonderful middle order, a very astute wicket keeper and the two best bowlers in the world in form of Shane Warne and Glen McGrath. In terms of fielding fielding, no question about the Australia. I also think the South Africans can come close to it and one should not forget about Sri Lanka.

10: Finally a word about the captaincy of Saurav Ganguly?
He is one of the best captains in the modern game. He has improved a lot and now he doesn’t lose his temper over the small matters and when situation demands he is the one who will speak out against anyone as he did against Steve Waugh. Added to all that I also think he is the fittest ever captain to lead an India side in the World Cup.