Current Team India is the 'One for the Future', Sunil Gavaskar tells NDTV
Sunil Gavaskar said Team India could have performed better in the World Cup had they returned home for a few days after the four-Test series against Australia.
Team India's sensational run at the World Cup 2015 came to a grinding halt against Australia in a one-sided semifinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground, leaving several fans heartbroken but former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar felt the current team will stay together for some time to come. (Australia Win World Cup)
After the exit of several senior players, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane had stepped up in the batting department. The bowling group, which was a concern before the World Cup, came together remarkably well and India ended up taking 77 wickets in eight matches from the tournament. Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma were revelations while Ravichandran Ashwin found his groove too. (Sachin Tendulkar Cheered on by MCG Crowd)
"India need bowlers to win matches and the bowlers have done just that in the World Cup. Dhawan's two hundreds (against South Africa and Ireland) justified the faith the team management has shown in him. This young Indian team can only get better and I believe the current team is the one for the future," Gavaskar told NDTV. (Team India Arrive Home)
He however, said a good all-rounder or two could give the team a far better balance.
Gavaskar also wondered whether India could have gone past the semis and done even better if they had adequate rest before their title defence. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were in Australia since November. The long tour had tested their resilience and fitness. In fact, team director Ravi Shastri had previously branded the tri-series as a "waste of time".
"Maybe, just maybe, India could have performed better had they come back home to get home instead of playing in the tri-series. They were there in Australia for four months," Gavaskar said.
India had reached Australia late November and played four grueling Test matches, which they lost 2-0.
Former India batsman VVS Laxman also agreed with Gavaskar and said if they all stayed fit and performed consistently, most in the current crop of players will travel to the 2019 World Cup in England.