ICC World Cup 2019: Yuvraj Singh Reveals the X-Factor in the Indian Team

The ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales will undergo from May 30 with England taking on South Africa in the tournament opener. Indian National Cricket Team, who begin their campaign on June 5 will enter the tournament as one of the hot favourites. As they gear up for the marquee event, the player of the competition from the 2011 editions, Yuvraj Singh has revealed the X-factor for India.

Yuvraj reveals the x-factor for India

Meanwhile, the Men in Blues received a setback following their loss in the first warm-up game against New Zealand. The top-order failed to offer any resistance against some quality, fast bowling from Trent Boult. The batsmen will have to pull up their socks before they travel to Southampton to play their first game. Virat Kohli; however, admitted that this defeat will have no bearing on them as they have quality players, who know how to bounce back.

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Amidst all these conundrums, India’s 2011 World Cup hero, Yuvraj Singh has picked all-rounder Hardik Pandya to be the x-factor for the team. The dynamic all-rounder has been in good form, and Yuvraj feels Pandya will provide the right balance to the side.

“It’s important that Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli)… Either of them have a good tournament. But I think the X-factor in this World Cup is going to be Hardik (Pandya). He’s currently on form and batting well. And is someone who’s very helpful with the ball. In those conditions, if we play two fast bowlers and two spinners, you have Hardik as your third seamer. It gives the right balance to the team,” Yuvraj said to Hindustan Times.

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Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was not in a good frame of mind ahead of the start of the IPL. Marred with injuries and controversies, many thought Pandya’s performance graph would take a dip. But, he proved everybody wrong with an outstanding effort in the IPL. In the 16 matches, the Baroda all-rounder scored 402 runs and returned with 14 wickets to help Mumbai Indians claim their fourth IPL title. Yuvraj Singh, who was Pandya’s teammate at Mumbai, has seen him from close quarters and feels Pandya can prove to be decisive for India in the World Cup.

India will take on South Africa on June 5 in their tournament opener at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.