Bowlers Will Have to Perform if India Are to Retain World Cup: Javagal Srinath

It was imperative for the Indian bowlers to perform well if India has to retain the cricket World Cup title, former paceman Javagal Srinath said on Thursday.(World Cup 2015: Full Coverage)

"I am sure they will put their might behind even this time. They have the team. It's all about getting their act together. If the bowlers do well I am sure the batsmen will definitely perform. It's a batsmen game by the end of the day. If the bowlers do well I am sure this trophy can be retained by India," Srinath, told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.('Team India Yet to Identify Core Players for World Cup')

"Bowling will be very crucial. We need three fast bowlers to do really well. Bowlers win matches on many occasions. I hope Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharama, Mohammed Shami and Stuart Binny put their might behind and do well for the team," said Srinath, who is currently an ICC match referee.('Team India Lack Consistency')

Asked if the Indian bowling attack is strong enough, Srinath said, "We are strong...there is no doubt about it. There is a decent amount of experience and they have spent enough time in Australia. I think they have understood the conditions better now and they know what to do and I am sure they will do well."('Pressure Will be on India When they Face Pakistan')

"The last time people said that the country which hosts World Cup, would never win. That was the sentiment that was expressed but I think that has changed. Under pressure India delivered last time. To win the World Cup in India was not that easy. They won many games to become champions," Srinath added.

Srinath also said that not much should be read into India's recent dismal show Down Under but the players need to peak at the right time for good show in the mega event.

"I still feel we need not have to go by the results in Australia. Every team has its ups and downs. It is so important for this team to peak at the right time. Peaking too early might not be the best and peaking too late is not the solution. I think it has to be that balance at the right time. So, I believe things are looking good. If players are fit I am sure they can deliver," Srinath said.

"If you go by the data of the Test matches as well as the results of tri-series it is not very inspiring, but that's ok...you can always improve upon. At times, it is not easy to keep winning all the times even other teams are there to win.

"But, irrespective of that, I think it's a different environment for the World Cup. You can start from the scratch and you can progress well...I think all the teams have equal opportunity here," Srinath said.

The paceman said the players now have a very good idea about the conditions and it will stand them in good stead.

"Indian Team is there  (Australia) for a long time now, almost two months now and they have understood the conditions better and they have the talent and I am sure with the help of technology and with the help of good advise they should be able to deliver."

Srinath further said, "Everybody has a role to play. You cannot just pin hopes on one or two players. At least six to seven people in the side should consistently perform and then only you can see results. You expect at least six people in the side to do well."

He was also of the view that Yuvraj Singh could have been in the side.

"That's one talking point. These things do happen. He (Yuvraj) has been a match winner in the last world cup. Apart from that I think I am pretty happy with this side as well."

Asked on media reports on alleged problems between Virat Kohli and skipper MS Dhoni, Srinath said "I have been through this enough during my playing days. I think that's all a conjuncture. It's about what you people read from a distance. I don't think those things are true."

Srinath also made a passionate appeal to the fans to back the Indian team to the hilt even when the players would be struggling.

"I think fans need guidance. We all get little emotional when we watch a match. We use languages when you watch the match at times. I have seen people do it. Commentators can do a good job here. They can do wonders in trying to guide the fans in the right manner," Srinath told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event here.

"This is what exactly happened in 2003 (at the start of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa), when they (fans) stoned Mohammed Kaif's house and Rahul Dravid's house. We don't want such things to happen.

"We need to build in that maturity into the fans at a certain stage and that does not mean we need to bail out the players. Yes, we can constructively criticise players when they don't do well. After all, no results are guaranteed. We need to believe that our players give their best."

Srinath also said the players are responsible in many ways to the fans as well.

"One thing I can tell you, people who are playing this World Cup they are aware of all these things and they will always do their best.