What is the key to Dhawan's success?

According to Sourav Ganguly, not facing Australian bowlers regularly has helped Dhawan and Team India.

Indian player Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after scoring a century against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium

Indian player Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after scoring a century against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that key to opener Shikhar Dhawan's success in the cricket World Cup is about playing freely, which was not happening during the Australia series.

"I believe, it is about playing freely in the World Cup that can be attributed to Shikhar's success as it was not happening earlier during the Australia series," Ganguly said in Hamilton on Sunday.

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"Look, the moment you are not playing Australia everytime, you don't have those thoughts at the back of your mind that 'Oh I will have to face (Mitchell) Johnson again, oh I will have to face (Mitchell Starc) again'," he added.

The 42-year-old said he was always confident of India doing well at the World Cup.

"The World Cup was always going to be a different ball game. You don't need to play Australia in Australia everyday during the World Cup. India was always going to do well in the World Cup," Ganguly, who is known for his straightforward assessment, said.

Mohammed Shami of India celebrates after dismissing Misbah-ul-Haq of Pakistan

Mohammed Shami of India celebrates after dismissing Misbah-ul-Haq of Pakistan. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Ganguly, like most people, believes that the bowlers have done a great job in the tournament.

"Indian bowlers have done a splendid job. They have surpassed everyone's expectations. Mohammed Shami has been consistent and Umesh Yadav has been brilliant. It's good to see a bowler hitting 145 kmph consistently. Mohit Sharma turned out to be the surprise package in the line-up. The way he has improved with each match is phenomenal," said the man, who led India to World Cup final in 2003 in South Africa.

Ganguly feels that India is a very good ODI side.

"India are a better ODI bowling unit than what they are in Test cricket. It's a shorter format where you don't have to bowl those long spells," said Ganguly.

India's players celebrate a wicket

India's players celebrate a wicket. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The elegant left-hander of yesteryear feels that Ravindra Jadeja's role as second specialist spinner in this World Cup will be needed as he expects India to reach the summit round.

While the ball swings in Hamilton, Ganguly is of the opinion that there is no need to change the playing XI for the next two matches.

"I don't think there would be any change in the playing XI. Since India are likely to play their quarter-final at Melbourne and the semi-finals and finals will be held in Sydney and Melbourne respectively," he said.

"On those tracks, one would need a second spinner and that's the reason Jadeja can't be dropped. And since Jadeja would be needed there, they might as well play him in these two matches. In any case, we would be winning these two matches comfortably," Ganguly explained.

One of India's most successful captain, however, refused to draw comparisons between Dhoni's team and his 'Class of 2003'.

Francois du Plessis of South Africa crashes into the wickets

Francois du Plessis of South Africa crashes into the wickets. Photograph: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

"You can't compare teams from two different times. This is a very good team as much as the team of 2003 was a good one. Both teams have good players," said Ganguly.

Ganguly also termed South Africa's loss against Pakistan as a 'good thing" for the Proteas.

"Over the years, South Africa has been a team that has generally been brilliant at the group stages and then losing that crucial quarter-final or semi-final. I think they won't mind losing a few here as long as they win in the knock-out stages. But they do need to sort out their fifth bowler problem," concluded Ganguly.