Gary Kirsten says India misfiring before WC is a good thing

How do you see India's prospects as defending champions?

They are one of the top four teams. They have got a real chance of winning it. It really comes down to the quarterfinals, semifinals and final. Most of the top teams will go through the round-robin phase and it won't be too much of a challenge to go to the knock out. Then, it is really how they are playing. It is still five weeks to get to the knockout phase. India have got as good a chance as Australia, South Africa, maybe New Zealand. Sri Lanka often play well in World Cups. Every World Cup is like like that because that is the nature of the event. It is not a series where you are playing against someone in five games. It is a one-off game. Any one can come off in a one-off game. The benefit India have is that they have four players – Dhoni, Raina, Kohli, Ashwin – from the last World Cup. They have guys who know how to play in knock-out games and have done well there. A lot of people seem to be writing India off but they are doing at their own peril. India have a very strong batting line-up. They have played a lot of cricket in Australia. There is no reason why they don't have as good a chance as any other team. They are misfiring at the moment. Maybe, it is a good thing. Maybe, other teams are too good in form early.

How much is it a concern that India have not won a single game in Australia on this trip?

I don't think there is too much to reach into it. It is quite healthy. The teams that are not playing well now, it is not a bad thing. You need to be playing at your best in a month's time. They have got a lot of time, warm-up games and round-robin games to work out the combinations. To me, that's where it really begins. India have a lot of experience. They may not be playing their best at the moment but they have a real chance.

Not having 15 fully fit is not a good sign going into a World Cup, is it?

It is not ideal. In the modern world of professional sport, you manage. Other players come in. You have got players to replace. Ishant Sharma is replaced by Mohit Sharma, who has good skills, good experience. I don't think it is a major factor. (Ravindra) Jadeja is important to the team. If he is fit and comes into form in a couple of weeks, he will be an important component, batting at No. 7.

Kohli had a fantastic Test series but runs have dried up in the tri-series and also in Sunday's warm-up game. Can he come out of it in time for the World Cup?

He is a champion cricketer. He is going to work it out. Sometimes, it is a good thing that he is bit out of form. He will take some learning, will go and see what he needs to do. Coaches will be working with him and ask what his strategies will be. May be, he needs a shift in the strategy and in the thinking a little bit. In my opinion, he will be a factor in this World Cup. Am always a fan of your best batsman in ODIs to bat at No. 3 because he has got the ability to score hundreds and you want him to have the best chance of doing that. In Tests, your best batsman bats at No. 4. In ODIs, it is No. 3. I think they are shifting him to No. 4 as they don't want to expose him to the new ball. It is a nice idea. But your best batsman will have to be front up.

Don't you think Dhoni is using Ashwin sparingly, preferring the two left-arm spinners Jadeja and Axar Patel?

I don't know the answer as I'm not close enough to the team. Am working with SA team at the moment. I am not close enough to the team to understand the dynamics, what their strategies are. The only thing I can look from outside is they are a quality outfit. I would not write them off. They have got one of the most successful World Cup captains ever in terms of closing out on ends. Let's not discount the Dhoni factor. A lot of things have shifted in his life that when it comes to these events, he steps up. He is at his best in World Cups and knock-out events. He will be a factor.

India have not lasted full 50 overs in two of the three finished matches of tri-series in Australia. How do you look at it?

I'd rather they be doing it now than in major events. Teams go through cycles. That they are not batting now may be a good thing. So, it is an advantage. Everyone writes them off with no expectations. It is a beautiful place for the team to be in, where there is no expectation. With less pressure, they can play with more freedom. I don't think they will be too concerned with the criticism they are receiving at the moment. It is going to work in their favour. They have got a fantastic batting line-up. Their have a really strong top six. It's very important going into a World Cup event. Indians rely heavily on spin. In 2011, Yuvraj Singh was a real factor for us. Spinners will be less effective in Australia. That will be a challenge. Under Duncan Fletcher, Dhoni has a young bunch of players together. They have won Champions Trophy.

South Africa are on a song. AB de Villiers scored the fastest ODI hundred recently. Can we expect him to break the highest score (264) in the World Cup?

It is difficult to say. I don't think Australian conditions lend themselves to that. The Wanderers In Johannesburg is a unique cricket ground. It is easy to get big scores there. The outfield's quick, wicket's bouncy. Australia have big fences, big boundaries. It is much tough there.

As India coach, you helped the team to absorb pressure. How is South Africa shaping up in that aspect as they have the 'chokers' tag when it comes to major events?

It is not about me being a sort of a silver bullet. Things kind of stack up right. Coach's role is almost of a mechanic, in a way. You look under the bonnet of the engine and make some tweaks to fine tune it. If you don't have an engine, your car can't go anywhere. Indian and South African teams have quality engine and the coach just has to make some tweaks, polish up things there, fine tune there. Proteas have got a great chance of winning the World Cup. They have got to carry the baggage from past tournaments. They have got some young seniors under AB's new leadership. In my opinion, they have the best chance of winning it now since 1999. I was part of that team in 1999 that lost in the semifinals. Under Hansie Cronje, it was much around us winning and we ended up with the same score as Australia in the semifinal and ended up being blown away. It was a unique event. They are a good side now.

South African bowling looks formidable, doesn't it?

Australia suit South African bowling style. Imran Tahir is very under-estimated. He is bowling fantastically. He is one of the best spinners in the world at the moment. He will be a factor. You can't discount Australia. The Proteas lost 4-1 to Australia three months ago. They are an incredible strong team. Have great depth in batting and bowling. The play well at home, have won World Cups before. They know how to do it.