30 March,2011 08:09 AM IST | | Debasish Datta
India's 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev warnsu00a0MS Dhoni & co against underestimating Pakistan today
India's World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has cautioned Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side against under-estimating Pakistan in today's 'Mother of all Matches'.
The 52-year-old former skipper, who led India to victory in 1983 in England, said the team needs to keep its "cool" to counter the unpredictable Pakistanis.
Excerpts:
MS Dhoni in a pensive mood before India's first game against Bangladesh in February.
Pakistan dangerous
India should keep their cool because Pakistan are a dangerous side. They are an unknown force with many new faces. They are a motivated lot and anything is possible for them. One has to be ready to counter that.
Hold your nerves
It would definitely be a tense match. You have to hold your nerves, the team which plays better under pressure will be the winner.
Win over Aus will help
Pakistan won the (quarter-final) game the West Indies very easily but Dhoni's team had to overcome a tougher opponent in Australia. That will help India.
Pak lost just one match
Please don't under-estimate Pakistan. They have also qualified for the semi-finals by beating good teams. They have lost only one match (against New Zealand) and have been playing consistently good cricket. India should be careful in tackling them.
Aim for 330-plus
We should not forget that in 2007, Pakistan chased 321 and won that match. So India should score at least 330-plus this time.
Pick your team, MS
In 1983, we could not accommodate Dilip Vengsarkar in the semi-final because we wanted to have all-rounders. Like wise, I will tell Dhoni, 'please pick your own team. You are the captain, if you feel comfortable with X, Y, Z, pick them'.
Play three seamers
If there is any grass on the wicket, India should play three seamers. I will like to have Ashish Nehra (in the team) because he can move the ball and only a technically sound batsman can handle him.
