Flintoff reckons huge expectations can cost favourites India the World Cup

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff reckons India are the favourites to win the 2011 World Cup, but the high expectations of the fans could work against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rampant outfit. The 32-year-old was in the city yesterday to share a few bowling tips with emerging pacemen at a coaching clinic.

Andrew Flintoff offering bowling tips to a youngster at Police Gymkhana yesterday. PIC/Shadab Khan

MiD DAY caught up with England's former Ashes hero for a one-on-one chat.u00a0
Excerpts:

On the 2011 World Cup:
The teams from sub-continent have an edge, especially India because they have performed so brilliantly on home soil over the last year. The only disadvantage I see is that it is difficult to handle pressure from the home crowd. Indian fans expect their team to win at any cost, at all times. That could work against India.

On Sachin Tendulkar:
I remember coming to play for Lancashire under-13s and he was making his Test debut at the time. He is only four years older than me, but he is still playing! There is a lot of cricket left in him.

He can carry on for many more years. The last time I came to India for a Test series, he played the knock of his life in my opinion ufffd in Chennai in 2008-09.

On Harbhajan Singh, 'the all-rounder':
He will be confident about scoring more runs after his two hundreds. It could also work against him because it could start to affect his bowling.