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Senior players' performance will be key: Warne

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Press Trust of India Melbourne
Two days ahead of the awaited India-Pakistan World Cup clash at the Adelaide Oval, spin wizard Shane Warne has said the twice defending champion's fortune in the match and the tournament will largely depend on the senior players' performance.

Warne, while attending an event here organised by Tourism Victoria, told PTI that the Indian team which was playing in Australia for the last three months had not yet clicked.

"They have not been in great form. India had been here for three months and they won their first match the other day," Warne said.

"I just think they have not clicked yet," he said and added, "In a World Cup, you need senior players and major players to stand up. If that happens you going to go close to winning the game," he said.
 

"India has got some senior players and they have lots of inexperienced players but don't worry about Pakistan, they have been playing pretty good cricket for the last six months," the Australian said.

"It's going to be a massive game. It's a sold out game and what a weekend to start the World Cup with Australia-England at MCG and India-Pakistan at Adelaide Oval," Warne said.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led India to triumph in the 2011 edition, is the team's most experienced player.

Commenting on who will take the trophy home, Warne warned that World Cups are unpredictable.

"It's a different pressure, the fear of losing, what happens if we lose, all those things.

"There are a lot of different things come into a World Cup. There's always that rivalry between Australia and England with the Ashes and everything but when you're talking about a World Cup it doesn't matter who the favourites are.

"Someone has a day out, someone has a bit of luck their way and anyone can beat anyone.

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First Published: Feb 13 2015 | 10:15 AM IST

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