BY SUDHAKAR SHANBHAG |NT
PANAJI: The legendary Sachin Tendulkar has always confessed about his long-cherished dream of winning the World Cup for India and as the new cricketing season in India kicks off with the high-profile India-Australia series, next weekend, the cricket audience both in India and worldwide will be eagerly anticipating a combative series between the two cricketing giants.
And, so also will Sachin, in his inner realms, be hoping that this season culminates on a high note with India being crowned as the new world champions in (ODI) cricket and that Dhoni’s men replace Kapil’s Devils as the new breed of Indian cricketers to inscribe their name on a World Cup trophy that had last seen an Indian captain in Kapil, lift cricket’s most-coveted silverware way back in 1983.
And, there is certainly hope as Sachin’s childhood friend- turned-teammate Vinod Kambli has given M S Dhoni’s men the thumbs-up to be the top favourites to win the World Cup at home, and in doing so, hoping that his dearest mate – Sachin — both on and off the cricket field, realises his long-standing dream of winning the World Cup for India.
"I really wish that Indian cricket team under Dhoni’s leadership goes on to win the 2011 World Cup which will be staged in the sub-continent next February. I wish even Sachin all the best as it has been his dream to win the World Cup," the former Indian lefthander from Mumbai informed media persons on the sidelines of the formal launching of ‘Goa Super Sixes’ cricket tournament, which kicked off in the plush interiors of Taj Exotica, Benaulim, on Friday.
Goa is not new to Kambli, who, while acknowledging to the scribes that eagerly besieged him to snatch a byte off him, got a quick reply from the stylish southpaw, saying: "Goa is my second home."
"I will represent Provogue Pashas at the Super Sixes event," continued Kambli, who seemed all excited about the concept of Super Sixes and the fun and entertainment that it brings along with it apart from the "cricketing" factor attached to it.
Divulging further, Kambli, billed the upcoming India-Australia series as an ideal preparation for India ahead of the World Cup and also a platform for youngsters to build on their international experience.
"Two of the best teams in the world will be in action from next week and there is nothing like playing against the Australians who are a very tough and competitive unit. The series will be tough and an ideal preparation for the Indian team under Dhoni and also for the youngsters to get the right kind of exposure for next February’s World Cup to be held in the sub-continent," remarked the dashing southpaw, who featured in the 1992 and 1996 World Cup.
Though, presently retired from top class cricket, Kambli, who always is remembered for his world-record stand of 664 with his best pal Sachin, for Shardashram School in the inter-school tournament in Mumbai in 1988, disclosed that he had recovered from a shin injury and was feeling fitter now and was planning for a comeback into domestic first class cricket.
"Basically, I am practicing hard and have plans to come back and play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy this season. That apart, I am also open to options of playing in the IPL and wouldn’t mind the team if and when I play for. But I am interested in playing Twenty20 cricket which has been a big hit because of IPL in the past three editions.
"All I can say right now is that I am feeling fit and practicing hard," said Kambli, who last played an ODI for India in October 2000 at Sharjah and will best be remembered for his sensational exploits during the 1993-94 season, where he scored back-to-back Test double centuries against the touring England, in his debut series, and the lone Test against Zimbabwe that followed.
Kambli, who has always been known for his debonair and audacious approach to the game, being a stylish left-hander, offered his reservations when quizzed about the recent revelations of spot-fixing scandal that has rocked the cricketing world.
The effervescent Mumbaikar, initially said, "no comments…", but bounced back to remark that "the ball is in ICC’s court as far as resolving the entire spot-fixing episode is concerned and hopefully the culprits will be taken to task."
"I am sure that ICC will take appropriate action and would ensure that cricket will bounce back into action and the game played in the right spirit and vigour it ought to be played," the 38-year-old noted.
When made a reference of India’s Test discard Yuvraj Singh’s criticism on some junior players in the Indian team, who he believed were not listening to their seniors, Kambli refused to say anything as he said it was Yuvraj’s personal opinion.
As far the treatment he received from his seniors during his playing days, Kambli explained that the youngsters were always treated at par with the seniors.
"When I started playing for India, there were greats like Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Kiran More who were the seniors then in the Indian team. But never did we as juniors feel that we were treated any differently. In fact, the seniors made the juniors feel at par with them despite they being the more experienced team members," signed off Kambli, who dealt with questions posed at him with same ease as he would have dispatched a cricket ball on the pitch, albeit with a willow in his hand.
