Dubai: Celebrated coach Dav Whatmore believes that anyone tipping against India during the ICC World Cup 2015 will be doing so it at his own peril. as the Australian believes India can bounce back from their poor current form in Australia and perform well in the upcoming World Cup.
Speaking to Gulf News, Whatmore, who is here to conduct a clinic at the Arena Sports coaching camp at the Raffles World Academy, said: “India are the reigning champions and you cannot take them lightly despite their performances in the last month or so. They need a decent rest, which I think they are getting now. If you tip against them, you tip at your own peril. They are still a very decent outfit and once they get a little bit of momentum, a win or two under their belt then they could figure till towards the end of World Cup.”
When asked why the Indian bowling looks weak without any match-winners, Whatmore, who had held the post of Director of Cricket Operations in India’s National Cricket Academy, said: “The performance of the fast bowlers in the recent tour of Australia perhaps hasn’t been as good but remember that it is because of the batting of their tailenders that Australia had triumphed. Indian bowlers were putting good pressure on the top order with the exception of Steve Smith, who had a great series and maybe odd one from David Warner as well but they had Australia under pressure in many games. They haven’t been able to finish off the lower-order batsmen. I would not write off bowlers like Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is injured. These guys can bowl quick and I think what they need is genuine support from the batsmen in their side and from selectors as well as the public, especially from the experts who commentate and those who write.”
To a query on how bowlers will have to bowl on Australia and New Zealand wickets, Whatmore - who transformed minnows Sri Lanka into world champions in 1996 and guided underdogs Bangladesh into the Super Eights stage in the 2007 World Cup - said: “Australia and New Zealand have different conditions than the sub continent but those wickets are very good batting wickets. The wickets there are a bit harder than the sub continent wickets but they are good batting wickets so batsmen will make merry and as a bowler you’ve got to be in your mettle ensure that it is directed in the right area.”
Whatmore, who has just taken over as Zimbabwe team coach, also hailed the UAE’s entry into the World Cup. “UAE have been showing that their graph is going in the right direction. Years ago UAE were nothing but now some of the performances that this team have shown are something to be very proud of. You can feel the interest and the response towards this sport in this country. It’s not just with the senior team but in the pathway to juniors and other competitions that exist. I just feel UAE cricket is strong and it is getting stronger,” said Whatmore, who also hailed schools cricket here.
“When you look at any tournament you always see talent. Not everyone is impressive but in every team there are boys about whom one can say that these boys will do well in cricket. It is just a matter of identifying, nurturing and giving opportunities,” added Whatmore.
