ICC World Cup 2019: India Will Definitely Reach the Last Four - Chaminda Vaas

Former Sri Lankan talisman pacer Chaminda Vaas has predicted that India will reach the semi-finals of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. Vaas feels India has been consistent in the last two-three years and he feels the Men in Blue can be one of the last four sides of the coveted tournament. India has ticked the right boxes in the recent past and they would be looking to go all the way in the multi-team tournament.

On the other hand, India National Cricket Team is currently placed at the second position in the ICC ODI rankings. They have done a fine job and would like to come up with a collective effort in the forthcoming ODI showpiece. Furthermore, India has its bases covered and would like to deliver the goods in England and Wales.

India will be favourites.

“India has been dominating in the last two-three years. They (also) have good back-up fast bowlers. They will do wonders. Indian team is very balanced. They will do well. My prediction is, India will definitely reach the semifinals,” Vaas, who was in Mumbai for a local tournament, said on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Vaas reckons that the Sri Lankan team lacks experience in their team. Dimuth Karunaratne has been named as the captain of the side who hasn’t played any ODIs since 2015. Vaas believes that changing a team’s captain haven’t helped the side.

“Well, it is very difficult to say anything about it because for the past six months we (Sri Lanka) have been selecting captains and the captains haven’t given anything to the team,” he said.

“We lack experience and performance in the middle but I am pretty sure that people have so many things but the selectors and the Sri Lanka cricket has trusted Dimuth and given (him an opportunity) to captain the side and I’m pretty sure that the team will unite and they will do well in the upcoming World Cup,” the 45-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Rangana Herath heaped praise on Indian spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have done a fine job in the last two years. Both the spinners have provided the breakthroughs in the middle overs, which has been a massive difference.

“They (the Indian spinners) have been playing well, especially (Yuzvendra) Chahal and Kuldeep (Yadav). That’s why they have picked right-arm leg spinner and the chinaman (in the squad) and the other guy also (Ravindra Jadeja)…..and I am sure in the coming World Cup, they will do (give) their best,” said Herath, who has picked 433 Tests wickets.

India will be favourites to win the World Cup as they have a potent side. They will like to play at the top of their game in the upcoming World Cup. The Men in Blue will play their first match against South Africa at Southampton on 5th June.