Agarkar at best a directionless weather cock: Sidhu
Wednesday, January 22 2003 14:04 Hrs (IST)

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar's experience and skill could be "wasted" if the batting maestro did not open the innings and capitalise on the field restrictions during India's World Cup campaign next month, according to former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Tendulkar has been batting at number four since the West Indies tour in April-May last year to lend solidity to the middle order, but Sidhu is convinced that it was imperative for the star batsman to bat up the order to be more effective.

"I think that he (Tendulkar) should open the innings again because he can take advantage of the field restrictions in the first 15 overs. If he is not opening, he should definitely bat at number three," Sidhu said in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

"I strongly believe that (Saurav) Ganguly, (Virender) Sehwag and Sachin (Tendulkar) should be given the use of first 15 overs," the cricketer-turned-commentator said.

"We are wasting a batsman with 30 odd centuries. What we are getting from Dinesh Mongia and others are ones and twos when there are no field restrictions, but Sachin can get you fours and sixes," the former Test batsman pointed out.

Sidhu refused to buy the argument that Tendulkar batting at number four would strengthen the middle order.

"To me that's a load of crap. Why can't we ask him to come in at number seven then because the lower order is not getting enough runs," he quipped.

Sidhu said India had the potential to win the upcoming World Cup but he would not rate the team as favourite.

"The potential is there but they could be categorised as dark horses, not the favourites," said Sidhu, who played 51 Tests and scored 3,202 runs for an average of 42.13.

"To win the World Cup you need the mental strength to impose yourself on the opposition and the ability to adapt to conditions like Australia and South Africa have done.

"Success is about helping yourself, and the Indians have plenty of hard work ahead," he said.

Sidhu, who has become more famous for his catchy expressions from behind the microphone than he did with his exploits on the field, said since India does not have genuine all-rounders, it should play the specialist bowlers.

"Ajit Agarkar is at best a weather cock, he does not have a direction. Sanjay Bangar has proved himself to be a batsman but not as a bowler.

"So we have to play our four specialist bowlers – Zaheer (Khan), (Javagal) Srinath, (Ashish) Nehra and one of the spinners," he said.

PTI

Extras:
Sehwag will play a key role in World Cup: Amarnath
Determined Sodhi looks up to Jordan for inspiration
To hell with flash in the pan, we won the WORLD CUP
Thatscricket Special: World Cup 2003