"All-rounders hold key in WC'

Gavaskar says the return of players from injury will lift India at Asia Cup and ODI WC

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

Sunil Gavaskar knows what it takes to lead a team to a global title, having done that in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia where all the seven Test teams of that time participated. There are only two others who have captained India to victory in a multi-team 50-overs tournament, Kapil Dev at the 1983 World Cup and Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Success has eluded India since then in ICC tournaments. Skippers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have tried in vain to transform skilful sides into world-beaters.

This October-November presents India a perfect opportunity to break that barren run when India hosts the ODI World Cup and a lot of focus will skipper Rohit Sharma.

Asked to spell out what is the key to be a successful captain, Gavaskar said the common factor in India's three winning sides was all-rounders.