Team India Following Sachin Tendulkar's Footsteps: Brian Lara to NDTV

India are on the rampage in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, having won their opening matches against arch-rivals Pakistan and South Africa. The ease with which the defending champions have crushed their opponents in Australian conditions has surprised a lot of observers but West Indian legend Brian Lara attributes this domination to Sachin Tendulkar. (Virat Kohli Can't be Compared to Sachin Tendulkar Yet, Says Barry Richards)

Tendulkar and Lara were two of the most celebrated batsmen in their era. While Lara retired after the 2007 World Cup, Tendulkar went on win the 2011 edition for India before drawing the curtains on his career in November 2013 against the West Indies. But more than a year after Tendulkar last played for India, Lara continued to sense the Little Master's imprints on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team.

"India are playing very, very good cricket. Earlier, in these conditions, India wouldn't have been a problem but since Tendulkar, the new age players have been playing good cricket on difficult pitches. Sachin showed them how to play on bouncy tracks and the team is now following on his footsteps." Lara told NDTV. (Shikhar Dhawan Lucky to Have Good Mentors, Says Michael Holding)

India's all-round cricket has drawn high praise from most quarters. While Virat Kohli's hundred led the run riot against Pakistan in Adelaide, Shikhar Dhawan's sublime 137 put South Africa to the sword in Melbourne. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina have played brilliant supporting roles and the bowling has been a revelation.

Lara too, was impressed with India's combination and marveled at the way the sub-continental giants were playing.

"India are excellent in all departments - with the bat, ball and their fielding. Their batsmen are playing well. They already have two centurions and Rahane is also is very fine touch," Lara said. "Their bowlers have been right on the spot and have created a lot of pressure. The Indian fielding has improved a lot in the last few years but now it is on a different level.  Under Dhoni they are playing some very good cricket and are a very tough side to beat."