'Individually, Dhoni can't win you a World Cup'

The event, Agenda Aaj Tak 2014, was attended by a host of former cricketers including Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram, pacer Shoaib Akhtar and Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag.

Talking about the favourites for next year's World Cup cricket, Gambhir said, "It is not possible to predict who will win the World Cup but may be we predict the top four. At the end of the day it depends on that day. My heart says India will win but I think Australia will be the favourites since it is happening in their own backyard." 

Sehwag picked South Africa and Australia as favourites, while Akram said it will be the Proteas who will prove to be the most dangerous team in the World Cup, despite their choker tag as the conditions will suit them. 

Asked if Dhoni can win the Cup for India again, Gambhir said: "Individually, Dhoni can't win you a World Cup. I always believed that it's a team which wins you a World Cup. Dhoni is someone who handles pressure well and doesn't create panic." 

'If Pakistan show daredevilry and India the right attitude, either can win the World Cup'

Lavishing praise on Kohli, former Pakistan speedster Akhtar said, "The way he has played in this Test match, he has proved that he is not only a great one-day cricketer but also a great Test player." 

Asked about India's chances of defending World Cup, Akhtar said, "The major factor for India is that they have three fast bowlers now who can bowl fast at 140km but they need to be fit. 

"If Pakistan can show daredevilry and India can show the right attitude then either of the two teams can win the World Cup," he added. Talking about Pakistan's poor record against India in the World Cup, Akhtar said, "We as players always take a lot of unnecessary pressure when playing India in a World Cup." 

Akram seconded his views, saying: "I have always wondered as a player and as a captain why we lose against India in World Cup and I think it is the pressure which affects the performance."

'I can say that we were superstitious while playing Pakistan'

Sharing his view, Sehwag said: "I played in two World Cups and I can say that we were superstitious while playing Pakistan and we used to say that we will lose. In 2011, we kept saying we will lose in quarter, semifinals and finals." 

Asked if Indian cricketers will take less pressure while playing in Australia, Gambhir said: "As a cricketer, pressure is always there. It won't matter if it is in Australia or India.

"The pressure is for winning the World Cup not because it is happening at home or in Australia." 

Sehwag said: "Pressure depends on individuals. My job was always to give a good start and not to play the entire 50 overs. It was to make maximum runs and make it easy for the other batsmen to follow. So it depends on individuals."