Indian captain Virat Kohli will be playing his first and last T20 World Cup as a captain. It will be a fitting end to his role as captain in the shortest format of the game, especially with mentor MS Dhoni bringing a sense of calm in the dressing room as mentor for the tournament. Ahead of the Super 12 phase of the mega event, former and current Indian cricketers gathered on one stage – Aajtak’s ‘Salaam Cricket’ conclave in Dubai – and shared their tips for Kohli’s men to end the long-running drought in T20 World Cups.
Sunil Gavaskar
“India should play their every match with a mindset to score 250 runs and should try their best to take 9 wickets of the opposition. They should not bowl a no-ball and should take every catch. This will automatically help the team to win the World Cup.”
Mohammad Azharuddin
“I think the Indian team should play the way they have been playing from the last 15 to 16 years. We should have a positive mindset. Virat Kohli should not take the pressure of not winning an ICC trophy under his captaincy and should play freely. If this happens then no one can stop the Indian team from winning the World Cup.”
Harbhajan Singh
“I think the five bowlers need to bowl with responsibility. It doesn’t matter if you bowl first or second, we need to bowl well. Apart from this, if we can get early wickets in the powerplay overs, then we can win the World Cup.”
Suresh Raina
“One good thing about team India is that all the 15 selected players in the squad are in good form. If we win the toss then definitely we’ll win matches. We have our blessings with captain Virat Kohli and the whole nation is behind him. This will encourage the team and will help them to win. We deserve this World Cup.”
Robin Uthappa
“I think the team should take one game at a time. They should plan accordingly on how to progress game by game and should reach towards the title. If we play and progress like this then we will win the World Cup.”
Dinesh Karthik
“India have one advantage over the other teams participating. Every player on the Indian squad has played at least seven matches in UAE. Other than this Indian batting is very strong and if the five bowlers from the bowling department can pick up wickets then no one can stop us.”
Cheteshwar Pujara
“Even I agree with what Pujara said. India should think of the present and then progress. I have seen the players full of enthusiasm and confidence and they have the ability that can help the team to win. This is the reason why I can with full confidence that India will win this World Cup.
Pragyan Ojha
“Even I think it is loaded with expectations to win. They should not think about it and should concentrate on their game. The team has the potential to win the World Cup.”
Amit Mishra
“India will keep due factor in mind and should take it game by game. If we play without pressure then we will win.”
