Jadeja is composed at all times. In all the years one has seen him on television, there is no recollection of him ever having lost his cool. In a team where players drop their heads and droop their shoulders at the first hint of things going wrong, Jadeja's body language has always been positive.RUCHI SHARMA caught up with Jadeja on the eve of the Indian team's departure to England for the World Cup. Excerpts from the interview:

How does it feel to be under so much pressure to win the World Cup, more so in the face of India's string of poor results against Pakistan in recent matches?
It isn't anything out of the ordinary. Every match we play, there'salways the pressure to win. As far as India and Pakistan playing each other is concerned, I think both countries are very passionate about the game. There isn't as much cricket in the world as there is in these two countries alone. Every street corner finds kids playing cricket, and life all but comes to a standstill when a match is in it's final moments. One doesn't find the same passion for the game in other parts of the world. The Australians, for instance, don't really care. For them, it's just a game. I don't think that's the case with us. The public and players in India and Pakistan are too involved with the game.

How do you rate India's chances in the World Cup?
Of course we believe we'll come home with the cup. Otherwise we wouldn't be putting so much into the game. And it's not just about cricket; no matter what we do, I think we must walk into it with the belief that we that we will win. That's what counts.

Do you believe that our batsmen are in good nick to take on bowlers of thecalibre of Shoaib Akhtar?
Yes, I do think so. We are in good enough form to face any bowler in the world.

What do you think about all the hype and hoopla preceding the World Cup?
Of course, it's all very nice and very much part of the game. But I really don't think we need good luck matches, concerts, songs and felicitations to tell us that we have the full support of the country. There are also people who fast, hold prayers and do things like that, for us to win. We are well aware how much we are loved and backed by the masses. But then, as I said, it's all part of the game.

How much has your education and knowledge in terms of the game helped you in your short term as captain?
Fantastically. And furthermore, the team's great. As far as formal education goes, I must say that I was never any good at it. I fooled around through school and college, and didn't even complete the latter. But then, how much of a difference does that make?

What do you think of the fact that theteam depends so heavily on Sachin Tendulkar to win matches?
Sachin is the world's greatest batsman. Whichever team he's in, would depend largely on him. But I don't think that any single player can make or break the game for a team. For instance, if I am playing till the end with the last man, it isn't just up to me to perform. He also has to add his might to the game. As far as Sachin goes, I'd just love to have him in every game.

There is a school of thought that the India captaincy could be handed over to you after the World Cup. Your comments?
I have no idea about these things. And the World Cup is a long time away still. So what happens after that remains to be seen. I like taking one day at a time. And currently, I don't know of any such thing.

Why don't you bowl more often and share the onus of the fifth bowler in the team with Ganguly and Tendulkar to give the side an additional batsman?
It's a very difficult question to answer, because how much I bowl depends uponmany factors. Like the composition of the team, for one. Even as you are playing, you make decisions about who will bowl when, according to the wicket and the opposition. I only bowl when it's needed.

Who has been your inspiration to get into the game at the international level?
The 1983 team. When I saw that victory, I was 13 years old. But something about it stuck in my mind. I wanted to go out there and do that for my country. After that, there was no looking back, really. And all one has to do is look at that team and that victory, to feel inspired to win any match in the world all over again.