We are on course to becoming top team in world: Srikkanth

Chennai, Nov 24 (PTI) Basking in the glory of India's
Test triumph over Australia and one-day series victory over
England, chief national selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said
MS Dhoni and his boys are now well on course to becoming the
top team in the world in both formats of the game.

Srikkanth said a new face of Indian cricket has emerged
with the team oozing confidence after notching up victories
against top nations.

"The entire approach of the players has changed. They
have been consistently aggressive and the approach has been
positive. The most important thing is they are playing as a
well-knit team. Everybody has done his job well and
contributed for the success of the team. We are looking at
building a team that will become world number one in both Test
and one-day formats. That is the first goal," he told PTI.

"The aggressive attitude reflected in the increased run
rate in Test matches. There were times even in Nagpur and
Mohali when things were not going our away but our boys fought
their way. The fighting spirit and the adaptability is
commendable. Even in the Indore one-dayer, we were 29 for
three and from there to score 290 plus shows that they have
adjusted to the situations well," he added.

The former India opener said what was heartening for the
country's cricket was that the team was doing well
collectively though there have been outstanding performers.

"If you see overall, everybody is contributing to the
success of the team. It is not one individual or two. Opening
batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have found their
moorings and give us solid base in Test and one-dayers.
Similarly Zaheer (Khan) and Ishant Sharma have been getting us
early wickets in both Test and one-dayers."

"In Test matches, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav
Ganguly were classy as middle-order batsmen and came up with
big scores against Australia. Even against England, you see
when Yuvraj Singh gets going, the opposition is lost in ideas.
That way if you look at it, it is very encouraging and good
for the team," he added.

Srikkanth said though the World Cup is far off, winning
the showpiece event is the long term goal.

"To win the World Cup is our ultimate goal though that is
still slightly far off. Because I myself have been part of
the World Cup winning team.

"For now though, we will take it from series to series
basis. First is England series, which we have already won but
I expect them to win by a 7-0 margin. We have two Test
matches. We will have to win the England Test series and then
look at the Pakistan series.

The former India captain praised the Cricket Board for
churning out talented players for the national team from
domestic cricket.

"One thing people should realise is that the number of
tournaments and the Ranji Trophy games for the youngsters in
the country by BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
The youngsters are coming with good performances match after
match. They are waiting in wings for selection in the national
side and this gives you the bench strength.

"We have guys with terrific potentials both in batting
and bowling. This is a transition process and I am sure the
youngsters will make use of the opportunities and try
establish themselves."

Himself a member of a great team of yesteryears,
Srikkanth refused to compare the current lot with those from
the past.

"We should not compare eras. We should accept the fact
that the present team is doing extremely well."