Former India swing bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji feels that this Indian team has the right combination and is very well prepared to go all the way in the ICC World T20, which begins here on Tuesday.
India will face New Zealand in the first match of the competition and talking to CricketNext at the sidelines of a promotional event on Monday, Balaji said that we should not put too much pressure on the Indian team and in this format anyone can beat anyone on a give day.
Excerpts:
CricketNext: How is it going for you in cricket right now?
Balaji: It's been great. I have started enjoying - last year I played couple of matches but I was not part of the IPL. I am slowly understanding my role and trying to move forward to my next phase of cricketing career, so let's see how it pans out in future years. I am just being patient and I am enjoying whatever I am doing right now.
CricketNext: When you say next phase what does that mean?
Balaji: I don't know not yet - I am not in that situation right now, t's tough to make decisions. I don't want to rush things and just enjoy whatever I do, [maybe] play club cricket. Cricket has given me so much and it has helped me what I am today, and the thing which I would like to do is be associated with cricket. So whatever I do will be with cricket.
CricketNext: T20 World Cup is all set to start and India are playing their first game against New Zealand on Tuesday. India are ranked hot favourites and might run away with the tournament. Do you see anything like that happening?
Balaji: We should not put too much pressure on the team because our team is one of the best in the subcontinent, so definitely they know what to do and they will definitely handle pressure.. It's a 20-20 format, so we cannot take anyone as favourite and we cannot choose one team. Any team can win it but to be honest - the combination Indian team has got right now is one of the best. End of the day, lots of things happen in deciding a victory or a loss. We have to start the tournament well and we have odds in our favour because we are playing in our home conditions and we have world class spinners. Fast bowlers are also doing well and we have got good allrounders [too] - our top order is firing, so nothing more you can ask for.
CricketNext
Balaji: Yes, definitely they all are used to our conditions and it's nothing alien to them. Most of the players in this competition have played some part in the IPL and they have gained a lot from our country's cricket because of IPL. Definitely, they will also be working out and they know their strategies. They have played in different grounds in India so it will be a equal competition.
CricketNext: Tell us something about India vs Pakistan game as you have experienced it in past?
Balaji: For any kid, definitely watching India vs Pakistan inspires because it [cricket] is the most followed sport in our country. Whenever India-Pakistan happens, the whole country stands still. As a youngster growing up and seeing all this, you want to be part of that. India vs Pakistan is a starting point for any youngsters to build that kind of energy in you and start working hard for the new career. The crowd, the expectations are so high from both the countries. The country will come to a stand still, shops will be shut, most of the cooperates will leave early, so that's what you expect when India-Pakistan clash happens.
CricketNext: Your winner between India and Pakistan for World T20?
Balaji: It is hard do say because in the 20-20 event anybody can win on any given day on their own performance. So you cannot predict.
CricketNext: Your four semi-finalist for the World T20?
Balaji: My top picks will definitely be India because they are one of the best side. I am not putting pressure but we have right combination and we are prepared for the competition. My other three will be Australia, South Africa and England. All teams look good but these are my top four sides.
: Do you think IPL has somehow made it a level playing field because most of the teams have players who have already competed in IPL for last seven to eight years?
India will face New Zealand in the first match of the competition and talking to CricketNext at the sidelines of a promotional event on Monday, Balaji said that we should not put too much pressure on the Indian team and in this format anyone can beat anyone on a give day.
Excerpts:
CricketNext: How is it going for you in cricket right now?
Balaji: It's been great. I have started enjoying - last year I played couple of matches but I was not part of the IPL. I am slowly understanding my role and trying to move forward to my next phase of cricketing career, so let's see how it pans out in future years. I am just being patient and I am enjoying whatever I am doing right now.
CricketNext: When you say next phase what does that mean?
Balaji: I don't know not yet - I am not in that situation right now, t's tough to make decisions. I don't want to rush things and just enjoy whatever I do, [maybe] play club cricket. Cricket has given me so much and it has helped me what I am today, and the thing which I would like to do is be associated with cricket. So whatever I do will be with cricket.
CricketNext: T20 World Cup is all set to start and India are playing their first game against New Zealand on Tuesday. India are ranked hot favourites and might run away with the tournament. Do you see anything like that happening?
Balaji: We should not put too much pressure on the team because our team is one of the best in the subcontinent, so definitely they know what to do and they will definitely handle pressure.. It's a 20-20 format, so we cannot take anyone as favourite and we cannot choose one team. Any team can win it but to be honest - the combination Indian team has got right now is one of the best. End of the day, lots of things happen in deciding a victory or a loss. We have to start the tournament well and we have odds in our favour because we are playing in our home conditions and we have world class spinners. Fast bowlers are also doing well and we have got good allrounders [too] - our top order is firing, so nothing more you can ask for.
CricketNext
Balaji: Yes, definitely they all are used to our conditions and it's nothing alien to them. Most of the players in this competition have played some part in the IPL and they have gained a lot from our country's cricket because of IPL. Definitely, they will also be working out and they know their strategies. They have played in different grounds in India so it will be a equal competition.
CricketNext: Tell us something about India vs Pakistan game as you have experienced it in past?
Balaji: For any kid, definitely watching India vs Pakistan inspires because it [cricket] is the most followed sport in our country. Whenever India-Pakistan happens, the whole country stands still. As a youngster growing up and seeing all this, you want to be part of that. India vs Pakistan is a starting point for any youngsters to build that kind of energy in you and start working hard for the new career. The crowd, the expectations are so high from both the countries. The country will come to a stand still, shops will be shut, most of the cooperates will leave early, so that's what you expect when India-Pakistan clash happens.
CricketNext: Your winner between India and Pakistan for World T20?
Balaji: It is hard do say because in the 20-20 event anybody can win on any given day on their own performance. So you cannot predict.
CricketNext: Your four semi-finalist for the World T20?
Balaji: My top picks will definitely be India because they are one of the best side. I am not putting pressure but we have right combination and we are prepared for the competition. My other three will be Australia, South Africa and England. All teams look good but these are my top four sides.
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