ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli and team has potential and experience, need to click at right time - Mohinder Amarnath

Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath believes that the Virat Kohli-led Indian team has the potential and experience to do well in the upcoming ODI World Cup, but it needs to click at the right time.

India will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa at Southampton on June 5. (Complete coverage of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)

“I think we (India) have the potential, we have the players, we have the experience and they have to click at the right time. And whatever they have played and all that, that is in the past, it is fresh tournament, fresh matches and it is like playing like new games, new preparation,” Amarnath told PTI on the sidelines CEAT Cricket Awards 2019.

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Amarnath, who was one of the key players of the 1983 World Cup winning India team, said all-rounder Hardik Pandya has the potential but needs to prove himself in the 50-over format.

“I think, we should not compare IPL preparation to a World Cup. IPL is a different format, different kind of cricket. He (Hardik) is a young guy and getting better with time and experience and all that. (But) he has to prove himself in this format (50-over), that he can fit in as a genuine all-rounder. He has the potential and he can do the job. But you have to access the situation and play according to the situation,” said Amarnath.

The 68-year-old feels that pacer Jasprit Bumrah would make a difference to India’s campaign in the marquee event.

“He (Bumrah) is a fantastic bowler and he is very awkward; he has got a lot of variation, a crafted bowler and I think he is very crucial from India’s point of view. He has to stay fit what I personally fell and he will make a difference (to India’s campaign). He is very consistent with line and length,” Amarnath, who played in 69 Tests and 89 ODIs, said.