NEW DELHI, March 22: Former all-rounder Madan Lal on Saturday said India had a good chance of beating Australia in the World Cup final in Johannesburg.

“Australia may have had a superb run but there is no such thing as favourites in a World Cup final,” said Madan, one of the architects of India’s epic triumph in the 1983 edition.

India lost to Australia by nine wickets in the preliminary league but have since won eight matches on the trot for what has been their best run in one-dayers since 1984-85.

On the other hand, Australia go into the final with a world record 16 consecutive wins, hoping to remain unscathed.

Madan, who took three wickets in the 1983 final against the West Indies, said India too had grown from strength to strength in the tournament.

“The Australians know that India are no more the side that played them earlier in the league,” said Madan, who took the crucial wicket of Vivian Richards as India upset the West Indies 20 years ago.

He said it was all about going out and doing your best.

“We were the underdogs in the final but did not give up, even after posting a low score of 183 in the final. In the team meeting during the lunch interval, we just decided to go out and give it our best shot.”—AFP