India have enough match-winners to lift World Cup: Dravid

New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) Batting legend Rahul Dravid Tuesday said the presence of multiple match-winners in India's World Cup squad gives the title-holders a strong chance of retaining the mega trophy in Australia and New Zealand.

"I think India have a good chance to win the World Cup because we have so many match-winners," Dravid said on the sidelines of a sports lecture here.

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"Such is the format of the World Cup that getting into the quarter-finals should be easy for the top teams. Then after reaching the last eight stage, there are only three knock-out matches and we have got the match-winners who could win you the three knock-out games, on any given day."

The World Cup begins Feb 14.

Dravid specifically pointed out India's premier batsman and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who could decide the outcome of the competition.

"We have players of the quality of Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni just to name a couple who can actually win you games single-handedly. And that is what the World Cup can become about," he noted.

"You reach the quarter-finals, have three good days, have a bit of luck and you could win it. Why not?"

Asked about India's apparent bowling weakness which could be their reason for downfall, Dravid said it is the team's batting strength that India has to bank upon while the bowling unit should complement the effort of the batsmen.

"But it is not going to be easy. I may make it sound easy but certainly the team is capable. If Virat Kohli has a great run and Dhoni has a great run anything is possible. The bowlers could come into form during the World Cup. Yes, it is not going to be easy, specially in those conditions but India has a good chance," the retired star said.

Dravid tipped four teams - Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India - as the top four teams, one of which is likely to lift the coveted trophy.

"I believe that Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India are the top four sides who are favoured to win it."

But he also didn't rule out last edition's beaten finalists Sri Lanka from the mix, noting that they always remain the surprise element of the tournament.

"Sri Lanka is also there. One always seems to omit Sri Lanka but they always reach the latter stages of big tournaments. They always seem to surprise us. These four or five teams anyone, I believe, has a chance to lift the Cup," the former right-handed player said.