The class of 2011 overlooked, former captain and chief selector Chandu Borde says India's fortune in the upcoming cricket World Cup will largely depend on the way their experienced skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni leads the bunch, which is a mix of youth and experience.
The defending champions head into the 2015 World Cup without Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir -- all of whom played their part in the 2011 triumph -- and of course the retired Sachin Tendulkar.
The current team is not short on talent but only four players were part of the previous edition.
"I won't say our team is not experienced, it's a mixture of both youth and experience but in these kind of World Cup matches and in these situations, the captain plays a very crucial role. Our captain has got vast experience, he is very cool headed and knows how to keep the players encouraged. I tell that will be key," Borde told PTI.
The 80-year-old Borde, one of the two surviving members of the selection panel that picked the 1983 World Cup triumphant squad, wants Virat Kohli to bat as much as possible in the quadrennial tournament, starting February 14.
"If Kohli can bat as many overs as possible, it will be beneficial to the team. Depending on the situation, either Kohli or (Ajinkya) Rahane can use the number 3 and 4 slots. Kohli can bat at number 3 if India are in a good position or else it can be Rahane," Borde, who had worn many hats during his association with cricket, said.
As far as the opening combination was concerned, he preferred to wait till the team's warm-up game against Australia.
"We will have to see in the warm-up games before deciding on the opening combination. Rohit Sharma is certainly there if he is fit and as far as Shikhar Dhawan is concerned, he has to score in the trial match.
