Mumbai: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar backed defending champions India to do well in next year's 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, saying the number one ODI side is ready for the tough challenge coming up in five months time.
"The World Cup will be played next year in Australia and New Zealand and I have got some fond memories of '91-92, when we played in Australia and New Zealand. Just a gentle reminder to everyone here that the defending champions are ready to defend," Tendulkar said at an event at the Cricket Club of India with Australian PM Tony Abbott in attendance.
Abbott was also given life-time membership by the Club on the occasion. The retired cricketer was obviously referring to India's superb display in the ongoing five-match ODI rubber against hosts England after a dismal run in the preceding Test series which they lost 1-3 to England.
India will now host West Indies for a short series and then tour Australia in December-Janaury before moving into the 2015 World Cup scheduled between February 14 to March 29.
