A confident India will look to acclimatise to the Caribbean conditions before launching their quest of regaining the World Cup after 24 years.
JAMAICA: A confident India will warm-up against cricket minnows the Netherlands at Trelawny stadium in Jamaica on Tuesday, seeking to acclimatise to the Caribbean conditions before launching their quest of regaining the World Cup after nearly a quarter of a century.
The Rahul Dravid-led team, which is regarded as a front-runner for the title by a few former cricketers, will use the opportunity to fine-tune their skills for the mega event. However, The 1983 champions were given a scare in a group tie by the same opponents in 2003 World Cup and the reputation of the Indian side, which boast of a fine blend of experience and youth, will be seriously tainted if the Netherlands repeat the fine show they put up four year’s ago.
The Indians will play another practice game against the West Indies on Friday before the tournament gets underway on March 13.
The Indians will open their campaign with a match against Bangladesh in Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on March 17.
The Indian team will go into the tournament high on confidence after their recent home series wins against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. Dravid said his team was well-prepared for the tournament.
“We have a pretty good team and we are very confident,” he said. The captain also said he was hopeful that the tournament would unfold positively for the team which had finished runners-up in the previous 2003 edition.
“I know that all the other teams will be aiming to play their best cricket but we are very confident that this is going to be a very good tournament for us,” he said.
Coach Greg Chappell said India were one of three teams that will go into the tournament with a well-balanced unit. “We will not be relying on any special players because the team is fairly well balanced all round,” said the coach.
Key batsman Sachin Tendulkar was confident and raring to go in what could be his last World Cup. “I am looking forward to having a good tournament. I am hoping that both my batting and bowling will come good.
“I am not under any pressure at this time I feel quite confident and I am ready to go,” said Tendulkar, who is the most prolific ODI player and highest run getter in the World Cup.
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