Calcutta: India are among the teams that Sachin Tendulkar feels will play in the semi-finals of the World Cup, which begins in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday.

Speaking to a news channel, Sachin said that captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play a "key role" in the showpiece event.

"According to me, the four teams that will make the semi-finals are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India," Sachin, who played six World Cups, said.

While maintaining that all the members must perform for India to defend their title successfully, he felt Dhoni's experience and calm leadership would be vital.

"Yes, I think Dhoni is the guy because he has the experience of competing at this level for close to 10 years and he is calm and composed. You know, even on the biggest stage he is calm and composed and that is what you expect from a leader," Sachin, who won the 2011 World Cup under Dhoni's captaincy, said.

"A leader should not panic, a quality which he has. It's equally important for a captain to be in a good form... to take his team forward.

"Only one individual cannot make you win the trophy. You need the support of the entire team," said the 41-year-old icon who retired from international cricket in 2013.

Sachin also said Virat Kohli may shine in this World Cup. "I think Virat is brilliant, his biggest strength is that he analyses the situation and conditions very well...

"He picks that very quickly, and then he is sure about when he's going to collect his runs and how he's going to collect his runs," he said.

On struggling opener Shikhar Dhawan, Tendulkar said: "Shikhar has not had a great time in Australia, but when he gets going, his game is suited for those hard and bouncy wickets. I think Shikhar, if he gets going early on in the tournament, will be a key factor."

India take on Pakistan on Sunday in their campaign opener in what promises to be a high-voltage contest in Adelaide, but Tendulkar said that their arch-rivals were not as strong as they used to be in the past.

"See, with time things change and so will the teams. I remember when we played in 2003 against Pakistan at Centurion, their bowling attack had Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, Abdul Razzak, Shahid Afridi - I mean, it was the leading attack in the world at that time.

"They definitely don't have bowlers of that calibre but that does not mean the new lot cannot deliver. They can still deliver, but you know they lack that substance. I think Mohammed Irfan is one bowler who can consistently bowl well in Australia and New Zealand.

"Wahab Riaz too can be good, but I feel they might lack consistency," said Sachin, who have won three Man-of-the-Match awards in India's five World Cup wins against Pakistan since 1992.

On co-hosts New Zealand's chances, Tendulkar said: "I think New Zealand is underrated. They are a strong side. They have a decent bowling attack and all of them can bat."

On young Australian captain Steve Smith, he said: "Well, four months ago, nobody would have said that Steve Smith is going to perform so well.

"He was always a dangerous player, especially in T20. But in Tests also he has shown tremendous leadership qualities.

"That makes him a strong contender to be one of the top players of the World Cup.

"He is energetic, he is vibrant and his energy is infectious. The way he led the Australian team in the Test series and also played well in the one-day series is something that one needs to take note of."