'Hope recent losses prepare India for World Cup' - Kapil

Kapil Dev, the captain of the only Indian team to win the World Cup, asked fans to be supportive of the Indian team despite their recent 0-4 series loss in South Africa, and said that it had been no different in his time, when the team struggled in the lead-up to the 1983 World Cup.

"We played in the West Indies in 1983 before the World Cup. It was a really tough. But that tour prepared us for the World Cup," he said. "I hope this tour to South Africa , which has been tough, will help us prepare for the World Cup in the West Indies . We - all of us have to support the team."

Speaking at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai at the launch of Cricket Star, a reality show and talent hunt, Kapil refused to be disheartened by the thrashing India had suffered at the hands of South Africa. If anything, he was extremely supportive of the current team. When asked about how the fielding standards in this team had dropped, he said, "Ìn defeat every one tends to find faults with every aspect of the game. The present team is more talented than players of our time. We hope they will do well."

Also present at the launch was Ajay Jadeja, another cricketer known to speak his mind, and he too refused to jump on the bandwagon of former cricketers who have lashed out against this Indian team, demanding widespread changes. On the contrary, Jadeja suggested that there was little to be shocked about. "It's been the same story in three previous tours. I was with Kapil paaji in 1992-93 in South Africa. Except for Sachin [Tendulkar] and Rahul [Dravid] most have found it difficult to adjust," he said. "We have not done well in South Africa. And changes have been made after every defeat."

When questions were asked about Greg Chappell, the coach, and the job he was doing, Jadeja's reply was simply, "He's the best coach."

In the wake of India 's heavy losses in South Africa there has been widespread criticism across the country from fans, the media, former cricketers and even politicians. This vote of confidence from two former cricketers comes as a rare relief for the Indian team.

Incidentally, even before the 2003 World Cup, India had performed dismally, touring New Zealand and losing the seven-match ODI series 5-2. In that case too New Zealand had taken an unassailable 4-0 lead after which India picked up two consolation wins. Even India's wins weren't the most convincing - they won the fifth ODI by two wickets chasing 169 and the sixth ODI by just one wicket, chasing 200.