Rahul Dravid has pointed pointed out that Dhoni and Kohli and change the game single-handedly.
© AFP
New Delhi: Batting legend Rahul Dravid on Tuesday said the presence of multiple match-winners in India's World Cup squad gives the title-holders a strong chance of retaining the mega trophy in Australia and New Zealand. (World Cup 2015 Knockouts: Who Plays Where)
"I think India have a good chance to win the World Cup because we have so many match-winners," Dravid said on the sidelines of a sports lecture here.
"Such is the format of the World Cup that getting into the quarter-finals should be easy for the top teams. Then after reaching the last-eight stage, there are only three knock-out matches and we have got the match-winners who could win you the three knock-out games, on any given day." (Dravid Unimpressed With World Cup Format)
The World Cup begins February 14.
Dravid specifically pointed out India's premier batsman and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who could decide the outcome of the competition.
"We have players of the quality of Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni just to name a couple who can actually win you games single-handedly. And that is what the World Cup can become about," he noted. (Does India Have the Team to Win World Cup Title?)
"You reach the quarter-finals, have three good days, have a bit of luck and you could win it. Why not?" (Ishant Can be Liability for India: Gavaskar)
Asked about India's apparent bowling weakness which could be their reason for downfall, Dravid said it is the team's batting strength that India has to bank upon while the bowling unit should complement the effort of the batsmen.
"But it is not going to be easy. I may make it sound easy but certainly the team is capable. If Virat Kohli has a great run and Dhoni has a great run anything is possible. The bowlers could come into form during the World Cup. Yes, it is not going to be easy, specially in those conditions but India has a good chance," the retired star said. (All Play, No Rest: Is Mental Fatigue Hurting India Ahead of World Cup?)
Dravid tipped four teams - Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India - as the top four teams, one of which is likely to lift the coveted trophy.
"I believe that Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India are the top four sides who are favoured to win it." (India, South Africa Can Challenge Australia in World Cup: Ian Chappell)
But he also didn't rule out last edition's beaten finalists Sri Lanka from the mix, noting that they always remain the surprise element of the tournament.
"Sri Lanka is also there. One always seems to omit Sri Lanka but they always reach the latter stages of big tournaments. They always seem to surprise us. These four or five teams anyone, I believe, has a chance to lift the Cup," the former right-handed player said. (World Cup 2015 Will be Bigger and Better, Says David Richardson)
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