"You guys know I'm a big fan (of Surya). He plays in a similar manner to how I used to play, but in ODIs, he hasn't cracked it yet," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel. "It is a tiny little mind switch that he's got to make, and he's got all the ability and capabilities that he needs to do that.

"I am very relieved to see SKY in the World Cup squad, I'm very happy about it. I hope he gets this opportunity in this World Cup. Looking at the balance of the Indian squad, he might not start, but a World Cup is a long tournament. So let's see what happens then."

'Home pressure will be India's big obstacle'

"I think India's squad is incredible, really, really strong," he said. "The only worry I have for India is playing at home. They played in India, they won. There will be huge pressure. That's the only big obstacle in my opinion.

"But if they can get rid of that and just free themselves up, I see no problem for India. Control what you can control. But go fearless. Fearless is the word I'm looking for the Indian squad. If they can do that, they'll go a long way and most probably lift that trophy."

"He's got everything in his bag. It's all in the mind and it's a matter of adapting to ODI and game plans and the World Cup and the pressure thereof. So yes, two great players."