India's biggest challenge will be to maintain this consistency: Sourav Ganguly

How do you rate this Indian team?
Brilliant. They are playing very good cricket. Although winning (the World Cup) is some distance away, they have been outstanding on the field.

What is that one thing about the team that has caught your eye?
The way they are playing as a team, the intensity with which they are playing, the bowling, the batting, the fielding. Overall, they are playing superb cricket.

The general perception is that India rely on their batting line-up…
But it's been a different story in this World Cup. Their bowling has also come very good. Bowling has also been their strength. They have been picking up wickets regularly. They have taken 50 wickets in five games. I am not too sure whether any other team has done that in this World Cup so far. (New Zealand have).

Are you surprised that our bowling unit is winning matches?
No, I am not surprised because India have always done well in world tournaments for quite some time now. I am not surprised at all.

When you led the team, you always aspired for an express bowler. How heartening is it to see three to four guys bowling at or over 140 kph consistently?
It's very heartening. They all have bowled superbly. And I would say MS Dhoni has also handled his bowling (attack) very well.

So what has Dhoni done with his bowlers?
The right field placements, the bowling changes, when to use which bowler, his thinking has been correct on most occasions. Dhoni has taken all the right decisions while handling his bowling.

You led India with success for more than five years. How important it is for the captain to speak to his bowlers or all his boys not just on the field but also off it?
Of course, the captain needs to speak to his boys all the time. You try and get to know your troops as well. If you can get to know them personally, that always helps understand the boys better, understand the team better.

What do you have to say about Mohammed Shami?
He has been the revelation of this World Cup. He is bowling beautifully. The amount of success he is enjoying in ODI cricket shows how much he has improved. What I like about him is that he is picking up wickets consistently. That's what any captain would want from his main fast bowlers.

Do you think Shami is one of the best fast bowlers India has produced in recent times?
You can't compare like that. But, yes, as I said he has been a revelation and I hope he keeps up the good work. I hope he maintains his rhythm till the final in Melbourne.

Talking about the final, who are the teams you think can pose a threat to India?
They all can be. I mean, whoever qualifies for the quarters should not be considered a weaker team. The knockouts are such that any team can beat any team. Whoever plays well on that particular day will win. Obviously, India will be happy to play Bangladesh in the quarters, if that happens. But even if they get to face Bangladesh, they won't get easy teams in the semifinal and the final.

Talking about good teams, there have been a few upsets. Were you surprised to see South Africa lose to India and Pakistan?
In brief, I would say no.

There has been a debate on the number of teams that should play in the World Cup. Some want 10 teams, some want more to globalise the game. What is your take?
I would actually want the non-Test playing nations to play in the World Cup. Otherwise, how would they improve? How will they get an opportunity to prove themselves unless they get to play? See, ultimately when you get down to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the best teams play. We keep talking about giving opportunities to new and smaller teams. But how will they get an opportunity to showcase their talent if you don't give them an opportunity?

What about the younger generation of Indian batsmen? Virat Kohli, for instance. How much does he excite you?
Kohli is a cut above the rest. He is a top-class player. They are all doing well, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, but when you see Virat Kohli, you know that he belongs to a different league.

Now that India have qualified for the quarters, what would be their biggest challenge to retain the Cup?
I think India's biggest challenge would be to maintain this consistency. And they have done that in the past. In the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, they didn't lose a game. They are quite capable of doing that here again.

Is there anything in particular that can halt India's dream of retaining the Cup?
It's hard to say. India are on a roll at the moment. They are really playing well, looking like true champions. But as the World Cup progresses, other teams can also get the momentum going. I think the most important factor from the knockout phase is who plays better on that particular day.

What do they need to do in order to retain the Cup? And who could be the main player?
To win the World Cup, all of them are going to be crucial. You don't win a World Cup on the basis of the good showing of one or two players. You need to play well as a team and be consistent. That's exactly what India have done so far. That's why they are looking so good, looking like potential champions. The entire bowling unit — Shami, Umesh (Yadav), Mohit (Sharma), (R) Ashwin — they all have done well as a unit and they need to continue that good work. Then, if you look at the batsmen, India are coming good as a team. Virat has been in tremendous form since arriving in Australia, Shikhar is scoring runs. Rahane's innings against South Africa was outstanding. They all have stood up to team's cause at different times. That is what matters most.

What about Bangladesh? They surprised everyone by beating England...
They are doing well. They have some good bowlers. Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain, their two quick bowlers, are bowling at a speed of over 140 kph. I saw their game against England and they were really bowling well under pressure. And they picked up wickets with good deliveries. It's not that they were gifted crucial wickets with some poor shots. With Rubel bowling at 143-144 kph, Taskin bowling at 142-143 kph and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza bowling in good areas, overall their bowling is doing well. And you cannot call Bangladesh minnows because they are a Test-playing nation.

Can Bangladesh spring a surprise against India too?
No, I doubt. The way the Indians are playing, Bangladesh would find it very, very hard. But having said that, you never know whether Bangladesh would play India or not. There are still a couple of games left. That should decide the final positions of the two groups.

What are your personal memories of Seddon Park? You got a quick-fire Test hundred here…
I don't remember whether I have played ODI cricket here. Maybe, in 2003, we played an ODI here. I do remember that I got a Test hundred here but that was long time back, in 1999. But I don't remember much. I think I hit a few sixes here in that innings off the bowling of off-spinner Paul Wiseman.

But you have played quite a few times in New Zealand. Are the conditions very challenging?
Good conditions. Look at the atmosphere. The crowds are fantastic. The pitch is flat, completely batting-friendly.

But you don't always get flat wickets in New Zealand, do you? When you came here as captain, there were lively pitches everywhere…
They still have lively pitches. It also depends on the bowling attack you have.