Bengaluru, Feb 10:Indian skipper MS Dhoni is pleased with the schedule as well as the playing conditions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 whose opening ceremony will be held on February 17.
While addressing the media here Dhoni spoke about the team’s desire, and ability, to lift the coveted cup. “We want to win the [ICC] World Cup as it might be Sachin [Tendulkar’s] last. We have talented youngsters who can change the course of the game and there are many players who have more than three or four years of international exposure,” Dhoni said. It has been a common sentiment amongst the younger cricketers in the team to honour the master batsmen with a World Cup win.”
Elaborating on why the current team was better equipped to claim the most prestigious trophy than the one that represented India in the previous edition he said, “The team has experience. The dressing room looks better, improved - it does not mean that the last one was not good. The schedule is good, we have a good fan following. It is unfortunate that Praveen [Kumar] missed out due to injury. Injuries can’t be predicted.”
Discussing the team’s composition and the playing eleven on a given day he said, “We have to look at the venue where we are playing. If there are people fighting for the same spot, it is a good thing because the player who is picked is going to be the best in those conditions.”
Speaking about the tenure of India’s coach Gary Kirsten he said, “[The ICC] World Cup will be Kirsten’s last assignment as coach.” The former South African batting legend has been instrumental in India’s success in recent times and would like to end his term on a winning note.
The Indian team is currently attending a preparatory camp here in Bengaluru ahead of the forthcoming mega-event.
