Wellington: India’s poor form in the ongoing tour of New Zealand will count for nothing when they visit the country next year to defend their World Cup title, feels former captain Sunil Gavaskar.

According to Gavaskar, the current exposure to the conditions would work to India’s advantage during the mega-event next year.

India were thrashed 0-4 in the ODI series against New Zealand, but Gavaskar feels it should not be taken as a final statement on how the team would cope with conditions when the 2015 World Cup is jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia.

“This tour and one to Australia next summer before the World Cup would be crucial to India’s development,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by New Zealand media.

The former captain is also of the view that India have adapted well after the retirement of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar.

“From their performance in the ODI series you can already see that they’re making changes and learning. They’re starting to show that they’re adapting to the conditions well… I think they are really keen to learn and improve and that’s a great sign,” said Gavaskar.

Gavaskar feels that the Indians had become better fielders since their 2011 World Cup triumph. “In 2011, when India won the World Cup, the fielding wasn’t up to standard,” he said.