Players should know their roles : Kumble

Meanwhile, Kumble has opined that if India had taken the Powerplay in the 16th over, it would have been a different story. The Powerplays can make you or break you !

That was the time when Sehwag and Sachin were going strong.

India should take the last match against WI on Sunday, as a Pre Quarter Final, opined the veteran leg spinner. In order to win the Crown, it is imperative that India win all the next four matches. India, even though leading in Gp B with seven points, cannot take anything for granted. India and Engalnd may be tied with seven points, if Eng were to win and India to lose the next matches. In NRR, India may be ahead now, but then if Eng overtake India in NRR, then India may be out ! This is only a possibility and in all probability, India will move in to QF !

India had won all four matches in a row in the 2003 WC. So this is not a new challenge facing Team India.

But then the Indian team know the drawbacks of peaking early. They had divided the WC as low pressure matches ( the matches just over ) and the next starting from Mar 20 onwards, as high pressure matches. That is why they did not give their best. Ashwin, the off spinning allrounder, will play on Sunday. WI have good left handers and it is only natural that India will play offies. But then India have other offies in Bajji and Pathan !

If Gambhir and Kohli are there as solid batsmen, donning the sheet anchor roles, then they must not go for lofted shots. Gambhir should play like Michael Bevan ! If all players fulfill their roles, then India will be on road to wearing the Crown ! Remember what Wellington said " England expects every one to do their duty".

Sending Pathan up the order can be dangerous as he is a pinch hitter like Shahid Afridi. Pinch hitters either score centuries or blobs.

A batsman, batting like Michael Bevan, is more apt to WC ODI, than wild sloggers !

It is good that the final match before QF is on March 20, as it gives India the time to do their maths ! If NRR is to be increased, then they can do it. If on the other hand, Eng lose to WI, then India can go to the ground on Sunday, devoid of pressure. It seems the format has been scheduled to aid India !