World Cup: No need to press panic button yet, says Sachin

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is in no mood to press the panic button after India’s loss to New Zealand in their first World Cup warm-up game, saying Virat Kohli’s men should utilise the practice matches to learn more about the conditions ahead of the main tournament.

Pre-tournament favourites India put up a dismal show in their opening practice game, losing by six wickets to New Zealand in London Saturday. Electing to bat, India made a below-par 179, which the Kiwis chased down in 37.1 overs.

“I will not judge the team after each and every game. It’s a tournament and things like these will happen. The main tournament has not even started yet,” Tendulkar said at a round-table conference on the sidelines of the Mumbai T20 League.

“I think we need to settle down, one or two games may go here and there. India should make the most of the practice matches leading to the World Cup. They should understand what kind of surfaces they might get. I won’t panic at all as of now,” he added.

The Master Blaster said warm-up games provide all participating teams an idea about things to come and plan accordingly in the main tournament.

“Many a time, teams are trying different combinations, batting line up. Almost all teams are not sure about their front-line, playing 11, several bowlers and batsmen are rested. Nobody is wanting to expose their proper playing XI. All the teams are preparing and trying different combinations in those conditions, which would work for them,” he said.

Sachin picked Afghanistan to produce major surprises in the showpiece, starting 30 May in the United Kingdom. Afghanistan showed their giant-killing intentions in their first warm-up game, stunning former champions Pakistan by three wickets in Bristol Friday.

“I have said it earlier that Afghanistan will throw up surprises in the World Cup because they have one of the best spin bowling attacks. Even if they treat it like Test cricket, they will still take wickets in the middle overs,” he said.

The upcoming tournament will feature 10 best cricketing nations of the world but Sachin was of the view that the custodians of the game need to engage more teams in a world event.