Calcutta: Australia and South Africa are being considered favourites in the ongoing World Cup, but Sachin Tendulkar feels that defending champions India can match their might. 

Speaking to Headlines Today, the icon advised India to take it “step-by-step”.

“India need to go step-by-step and don’t think about just the quarters. We can match the likes of Australia and South Africa. We can play even better than the way we played against Pakistan. Our batting can do even better and our bowling needs to continue same way. Having played a series in Australia before the World Cup will help us... Playing against the top sides makes your game better,” Sachin said.

Sachin is of the opinion that Rohit Sharma, who didn’t have a good outing against Pakistan, shouldn’t be pressurised. “Don’t put pressure on Rohit, you should not put doubt in a player’s mind. Rohit doesn’t need to worry,” Sachin said.

India next play South Africa and looking ahead to the game, Sachin stressed on the importance of getting a good start. “The opening will be critical against South Africa… Running between wicket has to be good as they are a terrific fielding side, taking singles will be tougher,” Sachin said.

Sachin also mentioned about Dale Steyn. “You can’t pre-decide how to play Steyn… He could also have a bad day, you have to decide on the moment… But you will have to respect Steyn, you need to be watchful up front, but take your opportunities.”

The Master doesn’t advice too much change in batting order for India. “I would stick to the same batting order… Don’t chop-and-change too much. Ajinkya Rahane can come up if we lose early wickets as Suresh Raina is more dangerous post-20 overs. Rahane can play the early overs better,” Sachin said. 

Sachin lavished rich praise on batting mainstay Virat Kohli. “Virat is extremely passionate, he has the hunger, wants to win matches for India and makes the captain’s job easier,” Sachin said.

He added: “Virat took time to settle down and constructed a beautiful innings.”

Sachin lauded Shikhar Dhawan and Raina too. “Shikhar played brilliantly… Raina backs his ability and I like that he plays his game. Raina’s running between the wicket is great.”

Speaking about Pakistan, Sachin said: “They couldn’t pick enough wickets, it wasn’t a good day for (Mohammed)

Irfan. Apart from Misbah, there is not much quality in the Pakistan team… Only (Shahid) Afridi can give a boost to the team. We were a far better unit on Sunday, we have been playing good cricket and we have some class players. The Pakistan team is bogged down by history.”

The former India captain also said that he was not worried by current captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s performance.

“Dhoni’s form doesn’t worry me...there can be no perfect game. The dressing room must have thought we will get 320+ runs. 300 was a fighting total, if Pakistan had played better, it could have been close as 275-300 is a normal total now.”

Indian bowling also clicked against Pakistan as they dismissed their bitter rivals for 224 in 47 overs and Tendulkar was happy with the Indian bowling attack's effort.