Coping with expectations key to India’s home World Cup campaign: Kapil Dev | Cricket News – Times of India

India, having won the World Cup twice in the past, will be eager to secure another title after a gap of 12 years. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 5 to November 19.
The Indian team will have the advantage of playing on home soil, and this, coupled with their strong performances in recent times, has led to them being seen as the frontrunners in the competition.

However, with high expectations from the fans and cricket fraternity, it will be crucial for the players to remain composed and focused throughout the tournament to deliver their best performance and aim for victory.
“I don’t know how it will pan out. They are yet to announce the team for the World Cup. India will always enter a tournament as favourites as it has been the case for a long time,” said Kapil on the sidelines of the launch of Golf Fitting Centre in Bengaluru.
“It’s all about how the team comes to terms with the expectations from all sides. We have won a World Cup at home, and I am sure the team, whoever gets selected, can do it again. A World Cup is coming in four years, and I hope the players will be fully prepared,” said Kapil.

During a career in which he played 131 Tests and 225 ODIs, Kapil never really had to take a break owing to injury.
But in the modern times, injury breakdowns of cricketers have become more frequent despite fresh fitness concepts coming in vogue.
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is out of action for nearly a year now, and his return is still largely a matter of speculation.
Kapil said workload and injury management should be given due care considering the amount of cricket the players are involved in this era.
“My time was different as we hardly played so much cricket. Now, these players are playing some 10 months of cricket. So, managing your body is important to keep away from injuries. Everybody’s body is different and they would require individual plans to preserve their fitness,” said Kapil, the 1983 World Cup winning captain.
Kapil belongs to that generation of cricketers who have prided themselves in giving their best against the West Indies, the powerhouse team of 80s and 90s.
However, the Caribbeans have now slipped so far down from the pedestal of yesteryears. In fact, they have even failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup, a first in their storied cricketing history.
However, Kapil hoped that Windies will soon return to the glory days.
“It is painful to see the West Indies not playing in the World Cup. It is tough to imagine an ODI tournament without them. They have produced such great players. I don’t know what is hurting them now but, hopefully, they will make a comeback,” said Kapil.
(With PTI inputs)