Dream to see Kohli lift World Cup on Lord's balcony: India fielding coach

The former Hyderabad left-arm spinner, who has been with the Indian team for the last World Cup also, believes that the round-robin format in this edition of the tournament is exciting and very tough.

Indian fielding coach R. Sridhar says he has always enjoyed the backing of 'keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, skipper Virat Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun.

India fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar says the whole endeavour of the team would be to reduce the gap between the good and bad days on the field when the campaign begins next month in England.

“If we are 99 per cent good on one day, then the bad day should be only 97 and not in 80s,” he says.

“Honestly, there are no worries as such as we have one of the top fielding sides in the world. We have a leader in Virat (Kohli) in this department and then there is Ravi Shastri (head coach) who is always focused in getting the best out of the players in any given conditions,” 48-year-old Sridhar explains in an exclusive chat with Sportstar on Sunday.

Indian fielding coach R. Sridhar with captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri.

 

“The Indians have a terrific attitude on the field and it is not that we are preparing for the World Cup in a World Cup. The efforts have been on for months and you can see the results for yourself,” he says.

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“Definitely, the recent IPL has shown that everyone is in perfect frame - mentally and physically. There are absolutely no worries. There is nothing better than being out there in the middle. No practice session can substitute that experience,” Sridhar said on the positive aspect of playing in an IPL.

“Well, we are leaving for England two weeks before our first World Cup match and have a couple of practice games and long training sessions scheduled before that. Hopefully, everything will fall in place at the right time,” he said.

The former Hyderabad left-arm spinner, who has been with the Indian team for the last World Cup also, believes that the round-robin format is exciting and very tough.

“Every team is capable of getting the better of its opposition on a given day. So, we have to be on top in every game,” Sridhar said.

“We have a beautifully balanced team capable of winning the World Cup. And, may be, in the second-half, the spinners will come into play,” he said.

“I am not the one to pick the top four favourites. But, my dream is to see Virat lift the Cup on the balcony of Lord’s. Will it not be a sight to behold?” he asks with a big smile.

“Well, there is lot of trust between the players and the support staff and I have always enjoyed the backing of the likes of Dhoni, Virat, Ravi and Bharat Arun (bowling coach) and hence every one is enjoying the art of fielding,” he signed off.