- News>
- News
This Indian team can create history: Bedi
New Delhi, Mar 08: Former Indian captain and one of the greatest spinners of all time, Bishan Singh Bedi has said the present team has the wherewithal to beat Pakistan in the coming series and create history.
New Delhi, Mar 08: Former Indian captain and one of the greatest spinners of all time, Bishan Singh Bedi has said the present team has the wherewithal to beat Pakistan in the coming series and create history.
''This is a unique series, where the Indian players have a chance to create history, by beating Pakistan in Pakistan for the first time. I have no doubt in my mind that our team is a better combination than Pakistan's team, what we need to do is believe in ourselves,'' he told in an interview.
''The most important thing, which i feel could make all the difference, is that the umpires would be neutral to both the sides. The two opening one-dayers would be crucial, and could decide which way the series would go,'' the former Indian coach said. ''India has a strong nucleus, and this chance should not be lost, our boys could create history, and they should do it. If this nucleus clicks, it is our chance this time now.”
''What they have got to be careful about is the crowd. Let us not forget that the crowd cheering would be for the home team. So stuff cotton in your ears and play the game that is it,'' Bedi told.
Questioned about India's bowling, Bedi replied, ''bowling has been a weak link always, there is no doubt about it. It has been a planning failure. We could not beat Australia in the Sydney Test because we were a bowler short. Let us all admit we have not given our bowling the kind of attention it requires at the top level.”
''Another weak link is wicket keeping. Isn't it too much to ask Rahul Dravid to keep wickets and also bat well? We do not have a wicketkeeper of the stature of Moin Khan.'' But the man, who formed a part of India's famed spin quartet, said his confidence stemmed from the three super batsmen the team has in its ranks.
''The cause of my confidence in the team is that we have three batsmen who could show stars in the day to Pakistani bowlers, they are Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman and of course Sachin (Tendulkar). India is a settled team now.”
''The team with mental strength would do better, it would be the key and would decide the difference between winning and losing,'' the outspoken former skipper said.
Bureau Report
''The most important thing, which i feel could make all the difference, is that the umpires would be neutral to both the sides. The two opening one-dayers would be crucial, and could decide which way the series would go,'' the former Indian coach said. ''India has a strong nucleus, and this chance should not be lost, our boys could create history, and they should do it. If this nucleus clicks, it is our chance this time now.”
''What they have got to be careful about is the crowd. Let us not forget that the crowd cheering would be for the home team. So stuff cotton in your ears and play the game that is it,'' Bedi told.
Questioned about India's bowling, Bedi replied, ''bowling has been a weak link always, there is no doubt about it. It has been a planning failure. We could not beat Australia in the Sydney Test because we were a bowler short. Let us all admit we have not given our bowling the kind of attention it requires at the top level.”
''Another weak link is wicket keeping. Isn't it too much to ask Rahul Dravid to keep wickets and also bat well? We do not have a wicketkeeper of the stature of Moin Khan.'' But the man, who formed a part of India's famed spin quartet, said his confidence stemmed from the three super batsmen the team has in its ranks.
''The cause of my confidence in the team is that we have three batsmen who could show stars in the day to Pakistani bowlers, they are Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman and of course Sachin (Tendulkar). India is a settled team now.”
''The team with mental strength would do better, it would be the key and would decide the difference between winning and losing,'' the outspoken former skipper said.
Bureau Report