The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘Present Indian team looks like that of 1983'

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‘Present Indian team looks like that of 1983'

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

Roger Binny and Kerala Cricket Association Secretary T.C. Mathew with the ICC Cricket World Cup in Kochi on Saturday.

KOCHI: The current Indian cricket team reminds Roger Binny of his World Cup-winning side of 1983.

“I think the present team is very close to what we were in 1983. The team is very similar to ours,” said the all-rounder who was the top wicket-taker in the India's only World Cup triumph. “We had a bunch of all-rounders then and now, India's batting can go up to No. 9.”

Reliance Communications, the global partner for the ICC World Cup 2011, brought the World Cup to Kochi on Saturday, and Binny was the big star of the day here.

So, will India win the World Cup which begins in Dhaka and ends in Mumbai?

“Every time the World Cup comes, there is a lot of pressure, expectations that the team will win the World Cup,” said Binny. “We need Sehwag to get going, in five overs he can change the game.”

But with cricketers often busy with long tours these days, fitness is a big concern.

“Our cricketers have been playing a little bit of extra cricket, a lot of them are going through injuries,” he said. “We need the fast bowlers to stay fit. All the three can swing the ball, move the ball and trouble the batsmen.

“If players stay fit, I think we should have another World Cup in India.”

Sreesanth's chances

One injured player Kerala will be watching keenly is paceman Praveen Kumar.

Will Praveen's injury offer a chance for Sreesanth to get into the Indian team?

“Sreesanth should consider himself unlucky not to get into the team,” said 55-year-old medium-pacer. “He is on the standby list anyway. So there is an opportunity to get into the team.”

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