Cricket World Cup 2019: Dhoni's role will be critical, says Sachin Tendulkar

OVER THE COURSE of six World Cups, Sachin Tendulkar has seen it all. From humiliating exits and rude shocks to record scores and eventually winning the tournament, the master blaster was an integral part of India’s roller-coaster World Cup run from 1992 to 2011. The legend spoke to THE WEEK about the challenges of playing in England. He says it will be about sustaining form and momentum, and not about the conditions. He feels the fans are in for run fests, and that leg spin will be the x-factor in middle overs for all teams. Excerpts:

Q/ You have said that you cherish the 2011 victory most, but what is the one World Cup memory that will always stay with you?

A/Without doubt, it would be the 2003 match against Pakistan in Centurion. I still remember the build up to that game when the schedule was announced. Everyone kept saying, “Jo bhi hona hai hona hai, magar woh match jeetna hai (Whatever happens, we have to win that match).” When we got to stadium also—how people were standing on either side of the bus on the road was incredible! You had Indian fans on one side and Pakistan fans on the other side and it just made that whole game so special. And then the way it ended (India won), I do not think I have experienced anything better than that, except for the [2011] final.

Q/The last time we had such a group stage format was in 1992, when you played. How do you sustain momentum and focus in such a long tournament?

A/I think this is a good format. There were a few formats in between which were not so great, but I feel a format where you play all opposition teams works really well. It gives you a chance to come back, in case you do not do well in one or two matches. I feel that to keep the momentum going, one also needs to have some off time in between. To be on top of [your game] for two months is difficult. So, ideally, I would say rest and recovery is equally important. Not just physically, but mentally also one needs to recover and stay fresh. If you are mentally drained, it is not going to work. So, one needs to find that balance.

Q/Virat Kohli said that pressure would be a bigger challenge in England than the conditions.

A/Yeah, the conditions in England will not be challenging. If you noticed, the last few matches between England and Pakistan had totals of 350 and England chased those totals comfortably in 45 overs. Pitches are flat and bowlers’ lives become difficult with the fielding rules. And, with two new balls, reverse swing is virtually out of the game. I do not remember seeing quality reverse swing in the death overs since 2012. That is when two new balls were introduced. That element is missing. I completely agree that the pitches would not be that big a challenge unless they leave a little more grass on the surface or a cloud cover is there. Otherwise, pitches are going to be good ones to bat on.

Q/What are your thoughts on team India, with England and Australia also being labelled favourites?

A/One can guarantee India going up to the semis, because [in the round-robin stage] you have ample chances to pull up your socks if things are not going according to plan, to regroup and adopt new strategies and play differently. But, once four teams go through to the semis, then everything will depend on that given day. If you are reaching there with good performances, then all you need to do is try and repeat that. I feel India, England, Australia and either New Zealand or Pakistan are likely to make it to the last four.

Q/There is much talk about how crucial leg spin is likely to be in the middle overs.

A/I think that is really critical because India has done so well in the last few years because wrist spinners have done really well. They (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) have bowled in tandem, got wickets and put pressure on the batsmen. I think most teams have realised that wrist spin is going to be crucial in this tournament, especially when there is not much lateral movement. It will be critical in the middle overs.

Q/On the flip side, top-order batsmen of top ODI teams tend to score very briskly in the first powerplay, which puts pressure on the spinners later on.

A/The way T20 is played now, it has given [batsmen] confidence. They back themselves with the number of net sessions they get to practise innovative shots and, though it may look risky, they work hard to master these shots. It is a reflection of how T20 is played all over the world. Players are implementing those game plans in 50-over cricket, too. If you look at certain teams, they bat really deep and want to take advantage of that. England is surely one of them.

Q/Teams are looking at top-order batsmen to not only take risks, but also to bat for long.

A/Yes, top-order batsmen will have to contribute majorly and those who come at five, six and seven, will have to finish the game. All seven batsmen will have different roles to play at different stages of the game. But, there will not be individual performances that will win you the tournament. They can win you a game or two. You will need a number of guys to chip in at various stages of the game.

Q/This will be M.S. Dhoni’s last World Cup. How do you see his role and legacy?

A/I think Dhoni’s role will be critical, without doubt. He has been in this position on a number of occasions and has done well. Having captained India for long, he understands situations and has that peripheral awareness. Especially if you are a wicketkeeper, you can see the entire team better than anyone else. You literally have a batsman’s view and you know where the batsman is looking to find gaps better than if you are standing at short cover, short mid-wicket or short fine leg, wherever it is. With his experience, Dhoni should be able to guide the team. His batting also has been good in the IPL, so I see him playing a big role.