The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : No clear favourite, says Rajput

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 01, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Cricket

No clear favourite, says Rajput

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: Lalchand Rajput, the manager for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, says India has as good a chance as any other top team and there will be no clear-cut favourites.

“Even Australia cannot be sure of anything,” he said in an exclusive chat with The Hindu on the sidelines of the National Cricket Academy Level II coaches course which was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Uppal) here on Friday.

The 46-year-old Rajput said the Twenty20 format is trickier than the one-day format.

“Essentially, it will be a batsman’s game and the bowlers will be under great pressure,” Rajput said.

Perfect platform

“India has one of the best batting line-ups with players like M.S. Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag. Moreover, the event will also serve as a platform for Sehwag, Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh to prove a point or two. “I had a chat with Viru and he is very keen to come back,” said Rajput.

“I don’t agree that this Twenty20 format has no place for experienced players like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. It was their personal decision to opt out. But, it also means a huge opportunity for the youngsters to strengthen their case,” he said.

Rajput hoped that his track record (of being unbeaten as the India under-19 coach) will continue in South Africa. “It is a big challenge and I am ready for that,” he pointed out.

Does he believe that this assignment will take him one step closer to becoming the Indian team coach?

“Honestly, anyone would love to be associated with the national team. But right now I am focussed only on this World Cup. I don’t think I will be under pressure. I will do my best to motivate the players to give more than 100 per cent. Let us hope for the best,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail