World Cup 2015: MS Dhoni's Team India Missing a Kapil and an Amarnath, Gavaskar Tells NDTV
Team India have been on a rampage in this World Cup. MS Dhoni's team has won five games in-a-row and now sit atop Pool B. According to Sunil Gavaskar, India still have one weakness, a quality all-rounder.
India are on a rampage and with five successive wins, MS Dhoni's men have locked up the top spot in Pool B. On Tuesday, the Men in Blue took on Ireland and crushed them with an eight-wicket victory at Hamilton. Ireland fought hard but in front of India's might, their efforts fell short. (Dhoni Gives Pace Bowlers Workout on Slow Pitch)
Sunil Gavaskar however, was impressed with the Irishmen. Talking exclusively to NDTV, he said that the Irish showed a lot of grit and didn't give up even when the Indian openers went berserk.
VVS Laxman too, was impressed by Porterfield's men. (Ashwin was Tricky, Says Porterfield)
"Ireland have shown positive attitude. If today they would have won, they would have qualified. They came out with positive intent even when India were chasing", said Laxman.
March 10 is a date that is very dear to Sunil Gavaskar. On this day in 1985, he led the Indian cricket team to victory in the Benson & Hedges World Series in Australia. When reminded of it, he refused to compare his team to that of the present one. He said that it's difficult to compare teams from different eras. (Dhoni Overtakes Ganguly)
However, Gavaskar was quick to point out the only blind spot in Team India. He said that the Indian team still lacks a quality all-rounder.
"If this Indian team had someone like Kapil (Dev), it would have been tough to beat them", said the former skipper, "If not Kapil, even someone close to (Ravi) Shastri or (Mohinder) Jimmy Amarnath or a Madanlal would have done the trick."
Laxman agreed with Gavaskar and pointed out that even with the handicap of a proper all-rounder, the Indian team is playing so well because of Dhoni's unique leadership.
"Dhoni doesn't stick to just one plan", said Laxman, "He is a master at being flexible with his plans."
Gavaskar too, was in agreement.
"Dhoni has always been aware of what to do and that has been the hallmark of his captaincy", said Gavaskar, "He is proactive in limited overs cricket and reads the situation very quickly", concluded the Indian legend.