If MS Dhoni strikes form, India can win World Cup again: Stephen Fleming

Given that this is the era of Twenty20 cricket, how crucial is the World Cup to the sustenance of the 50-over game?
That's a good question to start. Look, I think it's very important. Firstly, the World Cup has its history. And if you look at it from a cricketer's point of view; if you can create history (in the World Cup), then it's a huge motivating factor. Look at the past winners or, say, go back to India's success. You'll see that the World Cup has played a huge part in the fabric of India's cricket. Now, take New Zealand who have had a lot of semifinal results. They are very determined to win the World Cup. The motivation is very, very high. I think over the last two years, you have seen a lot of Twenty20. What we have also seen is that all formats are trying to find their niche. It's all settled down nicely now. People who thought the 50-over game was being threatened have been proved wrong. All formats seem to be surviving and thriving. Look, this is a very important competition, I think it's the premier competition across formats. This is one prize every team is desperate to win.

Do you see India doing a repeat of 2011?
I think they are in with a chance. I think the beauty of this competition is that a number of teams will feel the same way. If you look at the home teams (Australia and New Zealand), they will be wanting to make full use of the home advantage just like India did four years ago. The challenge for India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka is to make the adjustments. There is no doubt that India are a very talented side. But they struggle to make adjustments to foreign conditions. So they will be working very hard on what's going to be needed to compete in Australia and New Zealand. The Indian players have toured these countries. They know the conditions. And they will be hoping to make the technical adjustments and then allow their natural talent to come through.

What's the right length one must bowl in Australia and New Zealand. And how different are the challenges?
People talk about wickets in Australia and New Zealand having more bounce. So what happens is that bowlers who aren't used to bowling in these conditions, get carried away by using the bouncer (a little too often). Fast bowlers, used to bowling in subcontinental conditions, tend to get carried away with the bounce and the visual effect of being faster than what they are back home. So what they need to do is make an adjustment and bowl full. That's one of the challenges.

Are the conditions similar in New Zealand similar to those in Australia?
These days, the conditions in both countries are similar. Predominantly, the wickets are very true. They have good pace. As a general rule, I'll tell you they are pretty similar.

So what's the ideal bowling combination? And how crucial will spinners be?
What I have noticed in the last 12 months is that there has been a lot of focus on taking wickets. So, the more wicket-taking bowlers you can get into your side, the more chance you have of winning games. The best way you can stop the opposition from scoring is by taking wickets. The new rules have made it a little bit harder, particularly for the spinners. But if you have an aggressive captain who is looking to take wickets, then you must try and stack up your team with wicket-takers in the form of fast bowlers as well as spinners. That would be the ideal combination.

For the first time in many years, India will go into the World Cup without a genuine strike bowler of the pedigree of, say, a Kapil Dev or a Zaheer Khan. How disadvantageous is this
What India lack is a world-class bowler. You certainly don't lack strike bowlers. You have very capable bowlers. The spin pair of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin will have to work hard. Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumara are also very talented. If they can swing the ball and find the right length, they will be a handful. You've certainly got a very talented group.

By the time the World Cup starts in mid-February, India will have spent nearly three months in Australia. They did the same in 1992 and fared poorly in the competition. How important, then, is to employ a rotation policy or even seek the help of psychologist to beat homesickness and other issues?
They are probably going to need a linguist because they are going to start talking like the Aussies which is not a good thing. I think you have got enough experience in that side and they know what's required to make the required adjustments. Look, they have to treat it as an advantage. If you are going to play so much cricket in the same conditions where the World Cup is going to be played in, then you have to make sure the Test series isn't too damaging. You have to play well and carry that confidence into the World Cup. The last thing you want to do is play poor cricket and go into the World Cup feeling low. You have to manage that time in Australia and if you do that, then there's advantage to be had.

As coach of Chennai Super Kings, you work with MS Dhoni for three months every year. Could you throw light on how he operates?
He is a special man, isn't he? He has done special things for India and Chennai. His performances, particularly with the bat, have been phenomenal and inspirational. He has had some captaincy challenges, so he has to find the motivation from within the team to allow these talented players to express themselves at the World Cup. He is going to have to work very hard. And he has also got to get into good form with his wicketkeeping and batting. If he does strike form, then he will be huge component in India winning the World Cup again.

How strong is Dhoni mentally?
Any player who represents India has got to be mentally strong. The amount of pressure placed on Indian players is immense — the demands, the expectations, the support base, the desire. The way Dhoni conducts himself and the humility he displays towards his fans is incredible. And his passion for the game, which is not overtly on display, is one of his great strengths. He is certainly composed. His game is about high-end performance and the players around him know that.

How tough will it be for Australia and New Zealand to deliver the goods?
The Australian public have huge expectations from their team. In New Zealand, it's not as high. But with this group of players, there there is a sense growing optimism. Both teams need to manage these expectations and turn them into advantage. All teams must have three, four or five players in form. It's a very open World Cup, actually.

How can cricket become a global game? Do you think the sport must join the Olympic movement?
No, I think cricket has its own unique tournaments and competitions. I would be more in favour of just sorting out the three forms of the game. At the moment, we have tight schedules. I would love to keep Twenty20 as a franchise or club-based competition but I'd still have the World Twenty20. Even football has franchise-based competitions and the World Cup. That's where Twenty20 should sit. You need to give more importance to Test cricket. You can do that by making sure every Test match played is relevant for players and fans alike.

Isn't it important that global powers like the US and China embrace cricket?
It will take a while. The ICC's global programme is interesting. America is attracted to a lot of countries. And India is certainly one of them. We have seen the West Indies take on New Zealand in Miami. Given the way franchise-based sports thrive in America, I guess Twenty20 is the best way to gain entry to the market. But it going to take time. Also, introducing more and more cricket, especially in these times of packed schedules, could be a challenge.

Who's your money on?
My heart says New Zealand, but my head says the other sides. I think all the top seven teams have a chance. But I also think South Africa are going to be there or thereabouts. Probably, they are the favourites because they have a great team that's in great form.

—This interaction was facilitated by Tourism New Zealand, of which Stephen Fleming is brand ambassador