Former India captain Rahul Dravid believes the team’s biggest positive going into the T20 World Cup is their strength in depth. Dravid, who was in Mumbai for the laureus Sport for Good programme ‘Magic Bus’ in his capacity as a member of its World Sports Academy, said due to the presence of the likes of Hardik Pandya and Pawan Negi, India have a deep battling line-up which will help the team massively in the World T20. Excerpts:
What do you make about the Indian team for the World T20IJ
I think the good thing about this Indian team and this T20 World Cup is they have good all around depth at the moment. With players like Hardik Pandya and Pawan Negi, it just shows that they have got sort of batting right down to No 8, 9. This is a pretty formidable side at the moment and I think the all around ability of this team is what excites me.
What are India’s chances….
I think India would make the top four, but after that, it’s just a question of who has a better day in the semifinal and final
What direction do you think Indian cricket is goingIJ
I think it is a very exciting time for Indian cricket at the moment. The results in One Day and T20Is have been really good over the last couple of years and it has been reflected in the ranking, as well.
What do you make about the present generation of playersIJ
There are a lot of good, young, exciting players coming through. There’s a good crop of players coming through. I think it’s going to be an exciting 24 months for the Indian team.
What is the next challenge for IndiaIJ
The next challenge, really for this team, is to start performing and get results overseas. But things are beginning to turn with the win in Sri lanka, and hopefully that you they can go beyond the subcontinent and produce those results.”