ICC World Cup 2019: India Among the Favourites to Win the Trophy, Feels Kapil Dev

The upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 is only less than a month away, and the fever has already started to take a firm grip among the cricket lovers. England and Wales will host the 12th edition of the quadrennial tournament beginning on May 30. As the former cricketers on a prediction spree, former world-cup winning India skipper Kapil Dev admitted that the Men in Blues have a fair chance to win the trophy.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blues have played some good cricket in the last two years and enters the tournament as the second-ranked ODI team after England. In the past two years, the Virat Kohli-led side have defeated the likes of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand at their home. However, their recent snubbing against the Aussies raised questions about their team combination. But Virat Kohli said that the recent loss against the Aussies will not have a bearing on their performances in the World Cup.

Kapil Dev, when quizzed about the favourites of the tournament, said that it is tough to name a single winner. But, he named the four semifinalists for the marquee event – India, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Dev said that Virat Kohli & Co have a good blend of experience and youth which will help them in England. He also backed the selectors in picking four fast bowlers and three spinners who will strike a balance along with skipper Kohli and MS Dhoni.

“Winning team looks like India, England and Australia and surprise package can be New Zealand,” Kapil Dev said. “India has the combination of youth and experience. They have the right balance in four fast bowlers, three spinners and two big names in Virat Kohli and (M.S.) Dhoni,” he added.

Pace attack looks impressive: Dev

The selectors have picked three specialists fast bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will don the role of the fourth seamer while Vijay Shankar can chip in with some over if necessary. Kapil Dev hailed for Bumrah his ability to bowl yorkers at the death, while Shami has been exceptional in the last year.

“They are fantastic, very good. English conditions will help them. They can swing the ball,” said Dev. “They have Bumrah and Shami who can bowl 145 (kmph) plus. So we have swing, we have pace. That’s a very good combination to have,” Dev concluded.

Indian National Cricket Team will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5 at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground.