For Sachin's sake, I wish India wins the WC: Bedi

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi says though India is in a tough group, along with South Africa and England, for the upcoming World Cup it stands a good chance of winning the tournament.

"One reason for this optimism is that the World Cup is being held in the Indian subcontinent. Forty-nine one-dayers would be held in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Earlier 14 matches, including one semi-final, was to be held in Pakistan but they have been given to all the three nations staging the World Cup," Bedi told rediff.com on Tuesday.
The legendary spinner says his optimism also stems from the leadership of Mahinder Singh Dhoni.

"He is a lucky captain for India. I wish India wins the World Cup for the sake of 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar, who has done yeoman service to Indian cricket. This is going to be his last World Cup and he deserves a World Cup win," said Bedi, an ardent fan of Test and One-Day cricket's highest run-getter.

He wondered why the selectors opted to pick three spinners for cricket's showpiece event, which begins on February 19.

• India's World Cup squad

"If they wanted to pick Piyush Chawla and Ravichandran Ashwin, then they could have dropped Harbhajan. In case Harbhajan was not to be dropped, then they should have picked either of the two and selected an extra wicketkeeper, namely Parthiv Patel," he opined.

He was apprehensive about the injuries Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Praveen Kumar are nursing and expressed hope that they would be fit well before the tournament commences.

Talking about the balance of the team selected, he said, "We have a strong batting line-up, but our fielding is very weak. We have just two outstanding fielders in Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli."

Asked who will win the Cup, he replied: "Both England and South Africa are playing well. I have a strong suspicion that the Australians, under Ricky Ponting, would produce some unknown cricketers and surprise everyone. All the three teams have excellent fielders to back up their bowlers. I wish, for Sachin's sake, that India wins!"