Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the team wants to win the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar.
“We all love him (Tendulkar) a lot. Most probably it is his last World Cup although we all want him to play many more World Cups. But practically speaking it seems impossible,” Dhoni told reporters during a promotional event in New Delhi.
“So, that (the World Cup trophy) can be the biggest gift from the team to him,” he said.
“We believe in each others’ talent and we have a very good team. The environment in the dressing room is very good. And if we perform to our potential we have a very good chance of winning (the World Cup),” Dhoni added.
Dhoni said he doesn’t want to predict anything but said that India will give its best.
“It (World Twenty20 title) is the most memorable moment of my career since I made my debut in 2004 and it will always be there up in the league. But I don’t want to make any predictions for the (ODI) World Cup. I can only assure all that we will give our best. We play one game at a time. So at present I am just thinking about the Bangladesh game (on February 19 in Dhaka),” he said.
Dhoni also welcomed the change in the format for the 2007 edition.
“It is a good format for us. It is a bit of relief from 2007. Here even if you lose a few games you have a chance to get into the quarter-finals,” Dhoni said.
“But it will be about playing consistent cricket. Whoever plays consistent cricket in the tournament will get into the knockout stage,” he added.
“Now we call pressure added responsibility. We know the expectation level is high but we are prepared for it because we knew for long that the World Cup will be held in India. Expectations is something which is beyond our control,” Dhoni said.
He was also happy with the 15 players.
“I am really happy with the squad. I know I am the lone wicket-keeper in the team but it is not a worrying factor. If anything major happens to me, we can always bring in the reserve wicket-keeper as it is happening in India. But one wicket-keeper gives us the liberty of having one more variation in the side,” Dhoni said.
“We also have variety in our bowling department. We have not got express fast bowlers but we have got decent bowlers who are very skillful,” he said.
On the criticised World Cup schedule, Dhoni said: “It is difficult to get a perfect schedule but I am quite happy with the schedule. Some of our players have got a few niggles and the gap will help them to recover.”