India are the favourites for the 2019 World Cup: Sachin Tendulkar

[Shutdown Corner]

You are forgetting rain ..

Don't all the games have reseve days? Or is that only for the knock-outs?

I'm assuming all games are completed.

 

[JaDed]

Don't all the games have reseve days? Or is that only for the knock-outs?

I'm assuming all games are completed.

As per articles only 3 the semis and final.

 

[jnaveen1980]

The way I see it, here are the odds to win the WC at the moment:

1) India
Strenghts: insane top 3, terrific bowling attack, world class fielding unit
Weaknesses: middle order batting

2) England
Strengths: bat all the way down to #10, could score 500
Weaknesses: toothless bowling attack, little championship pedigree

3) New Zealand
Strenghts: well balanced side not lacking anything major, terrific fielding
Weaknesses: no championship pedigree

4) South Africa:
Strength: solid bowling attack, explosive middle order batting
Weaknesses: game's biggest chokers

5) Australia
Strengths: terrific pace attack, championship pedigree
Weaknesses: Batting is Smith/Warner dependent, lacks a spinner

6t) Pakistan
Strengths: underdog factor, Ramadan tournament, decent seamers
Weaknesses: prone to batting collapses, Sarfraz's captaincy

6t) Bangladesh
Strengths: solid top order batting
Weaknesses: experts at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

8) Afghanistan
Strengths: world class spin attack
Weaknesses: everything else

9) West Indies
Strengths: big hitting capabilities, some talent in the middle order
Weaknesses: erratic bowling attack, not enough quality batsmen

10) Sri Lanka
Strengths: ???
Weaknesses: too many to list

That is a good high level overview of Srengths and weaknesses. We could expand this to a SWOT analysis

 

[Cric_lover4487]

No way !! Champions Trophy final says Hi !!
I admit Indian team looks balanced. World's best top order matched by good bowling attack (for first time in my memory). Bumrah, Bhuvi, Shami, Kul-Cha. Pandya can also bowl. However, middle order is unreliable. For some reason i have a gut feeling that in a knockout match (semi final) our top 3 will get out cheaply and Dhoni will play his signature Grandpa match losing inning. He will drag game to the end and Pandya etc will get out trying to match up run rate. I wonder how Raina fell out of selectors radar. I expected him to be our no. 5 after Yuvi. Indian team had already invested in grooming him for that role.

 

[Mamoon]

I see that the "we perform best when we are underdogs" generic myth is making the rounds again.

 

[AMSS]

My psychoanalysis expertise tells me the festering cause of this backlash against Sachin's fairly anodyne comment is how he didn't care to mention Pakistan. LOL!

 

[Hitman]

1987/1996 two worlds cups where India were overwhelming favorites besides 2011. All happened in Asia. India disappointed twice in the semis before winning one.

India were never the favorites for the 96' WC even though it was held in the subcontinent. We had too many below average players like Manjeraker, Prasad, Ashish Kapoor, Raju.

 

[MP2011]

India were never the favorites for the 96' WC even though it was held in the subcontinent. We had too many below average players like Manjeraker, Prasad, Ashish Kapoor, Raju.

How could you forget that we were being led by that fixer, Azhar?

 

[Hitman]

How could you forget that we were being led by that fixer, Azhar?

Yea, can't stand that traitor.

 

[JattMaula]

The way I see it, here are the odds to win the WC at the moment:

1) India
Strenghts: insane top 3, terrific bowling attack, world class fielding unit
Weaknesses: middle order batting

2) England
Strengths: bat all the way down to #10, could score 500
Weaknesses: toothless bowling attack, little championship pedigree

3) New Zealand
Strenghts: well balanced side not lacking anything major, terrific fielding
Weaknesses: no championship pedigree

4) South Africa:
Strength: solid bowling attack, explosive middle order batting
Weaknesses: game's biggest chokers

5) Australia
Strengths: terrific pace attack, championship pedigree
Weaknesses: Batting is Smith/Warner dependent, lacks a spinner

6t) Pakistan
Strengths: underdog factor, Ramadan tournament, decent seamers
Weaknesses: prone to batting collapses, Sarfraz's captaincy

6t) Bangladesh
Strengths: solid top order batting
Weaknesses: experts at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

8) Afghanistan
Strengths: world class spin attack
Weaknesses: everything else

9) West Indies
Strengths: big hitting capabilities, some talent in the middle order
Weaknesses: erratic bowling attack, not enough quality batsmen

10) Sri Lanka
Strengths: ???
Weaknesses: too many to list

Bangladesh have got strong middle order, perhaps only behind England. Apart from Tamim their top order is weak/inexperienced.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pollock picks India and ENgland

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/pollock-india-england-favourites-to-win-cwc-20190205

 

[jnaveen1980]

India were never the favorites for the 96' WC even though it was held in the subcontinent. We had too many below average players like Manjeraker, Prasad, Ashish Kapoor, Raju.

Not because we were good. But others were not good either. Nobody expected India losing to SL second time. They were always our whipping boys until WC 1996.

 

[MP2011]

Not because we were good. But others were not good either. Nobody expected India losing to SL second time. They were always our whipping boys until WC 1996.

That SL team had fear factor attached to it. I used to genuinely fear it, especially Jayasuriya.

 

[Pakhs]

Yes its England and India as favorites no discussion needed.

 

[MP2011]

As for WC '96, WI were still a big threat especially with the likes of Richardson, Lara, Ambrose etc.

SA were immense in entire '90s save knockouts.

England were crap as they've always been in ODI cricket.

Australia and Pakistan were also serious threats.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

As for WC '96, WI were still a big threat especially with the likes of Richardson, Lara, Ambrose etc.

SA were immense in entire '90s save knockouts.

England were crap as they've always been in ODI cricket.

Australia and Pakistan were also serious threats.

England were utter rubbish in 96 ; No doubt about it. However, in 99, I think they were just unlucky - they had a decent team for the conditions.

 

[jnaveen1980]

As for WC '96, WI were still a big threat especially with the likes of Richardson, Lara, Ambrose etc.

SA were immense in entire '90s save knockouts.

England were crap as they've always been in ODI cricket.

Australia and Pakistan were also serious threats.

We had a well rounded side. But Jayasuriya's one over onslaught changed the dynamics somewhat. But still we were slated to go all the way. When Srinath dismissed Kalu and Jaya in one over we thought we won it. But Aravind put his head down and took them to a decent total. Make no mistake 250 was highly chasable. But Eden gardens suddenly became a minefield once their spinners were on. We lost the plot.

 

[MP2011]

We had a well rounded side. But Jayasuriya's one over onslaught changed the dynamics somewhat. But still we were slated to go all the way. When Srinath dismissed Kalu and Jaya in one over we thought we won it. But Aravind put his head down and took them to a decent total. Make no mistake 250 was highly chasable. But Eden gardens suddenly became a minefield once their spinners were on. We lost the plot.

Yeah, I cried after that game. We let go of such a great chance to reach a WC final. I've a feeling had we progressed to WC final that year, we'd have probably beaten Australia in the finals. And what better venue than Gaddafi stadium!

 

[Smbhayi]

India clearly has issues with the moving ball in swinging conditions and teams will exploit this weakness in full swing. This coupled with a weak middle order consisting of old man dhoni, fat boy jhadav and a hack like hackadu wont be winning too many games. Last time Pakistan was running circles around this team in England for ct17.

My bet is a final with England and Australia and Nz being the possible dark horse. Sachin is just being nice and obviously he can’t be negative about the Indian team.

Oh k.. now I know we're favorites...

 

[MP2011]

Jadeja and Azhar were so spineless that day. Were main culprits of our defeat.

 

[Balthazar]

I think it will be India vs NZ in the finals. They have some good all-rounders and strike bowlers, so that should be more than enough to keep them in the contention.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Yeah, I cried after that game. We let go of such a great chance to reach a WC final. I've a feeling had we progressed to WC final that year, we'd have probably beaten Australia in the finals. And what better venue than Gaddafi stadium!

world cups i had no hope was in 1992, 1999, 2003 - I had hopes in 1996, 2007. 2003 was a complete turn around. After NZ series i thought we would be suffering a major loss and exit in 2003 world cup.

 

[ARK Rafay]

India are definitely the favorites. I would say right on par with England (Home Advantage). India's only problem I see is their 6th bowler. If Pandya and Jadhav both play which I assume would be no. 6 and 7. They'll share the bowling and from what I've seen in crucial situations Jadhav can either be golden arm and ordinary arm. Example: (Pak vs Ind, CT17 | Pak vs Ind, Asia Cup 2018). English conditions at least early on won't assist spin. So if a bowler has a bad day. Teams can milk that and Pandya.

 

[Pete Rose]

I wonder how much of pitch conditions will be influenced by what happens with England's odi form over the next three months.
They play five odi's in west indies, which they should back themselves to win regardless of how brittle they seem in tests. But if whatever reason there is some collective loss of confidence that carries over to the odi team (it shouldn't because there is minimal overlap between the batting personnel) then what happens.
Add to it the series against Pakistan - which i expect them to demolish Pakistan in....
but we saw what happened in the CT - they played on a used pitch and did not adapt well to the conditions which favored Pakistan.
its a tricky one, so far their batsmen have shown that they dont have graft to survive in challenging conditions....so its not like they can field green pitches (there are also commercial considerations for the sponsors to not have short or one-sided games)

 

[MP2011]

world cups i had no hope was in 1992, 1999, 2003 - I had hopes in 1996, 2007. 2003 was a complete turn around. After NZ series i thought we would be suffering a major loss and exit in 2003 world cup.

Agreed, except for WC'07. India had lots of issues going into that WC, with guru Greg as added bonus! So I had no hopes from that team. It's another matter that I didn't expect them to crash out in the first round either!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Agreed, except for WC'07. India had lots of issues going into that WC, with guru Greg as added bonus! So I had no hopes from that team. It's another matter that I didn't expect them to crash out in the first round either!

Didn't expect them to win. lol But that team was better than losing in the first round.

 

[rhony]

Didn't expect them to win. lol But that team was better than losing in the first round.

Never seen an Indian team more scared than they were against BD in 2007. They were all panicking...

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Bangladesh have got strong middle order, perhaps only behind England. Apart from Tamim their top order is weak/inexperienced.

I meant top 6 when I mentioned "top order" so that includes the middle order guys. They are strong, but its a OTT to say behind only England.

 

[JattMaula]

I meant top 6 when I mentioned "top order" so that includes the middle order guys. They are strong, but its a OTT to say behind only England.

Check out the stats. There is a tread about them. Mushfiqur, Shakib and Mahmudullah have fantastic records in last 2 years.

 

[ali2220]

There is only 1 team that can be termed sole Fav's, and that is india.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Check out the stats. There is a tread about them. Mushfiqur, Shakib and Mahmudullah have fantastic records in last 2 years.

Tamim (average around 60) and Mushfiq (average around 49) have fantastic ODI records since the 2015 World Cup.

Shakib and Mahmudullah have solid but not spectacular records (both averaging around 35). All 4 are match-winners, but its needlessly lavish to say Bangladesh has the 2nd best top order in ODIs. We are a competitive unit in most conditions around the world. We have a slim outside shot of making it to the semifinals in 2019, but in all liklihood will finish either 6th or 7th.

Now if Steve Smith misses the WC, and a few other top players are out and Bangladesh fields a full strength side, then yes, our relative position improves. But assuming all 10 teams are at full strength and perform close to their full potential, then Bangladesh will win about 4 games, lose 5, and finish in the middle of pack, missing out on the semifinals.

 

[MP2011]

Didn't expect them to win. lol But that team was better than losing in the first round.

Yeah. That's what I said. Never thought we'll crash out in first round from a group comprising of BD, SL & Bermuda. lol, even ICC won't have thought of it in wildest of its dreams!

 

[MenInG]

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar believes much attention should not be given to high-octane clash with Pakistan at the ICC World Cup 2019 as Virat Kohli led side have travelled to England and Wales to bring home India's third title. With the ICC World Cup 2019 preparations going in full swing as team gears up for cricket's biggest extravaganza, India's clash with arch-rivals Pakistan is expected to be one of the most anticipated and talked about encounters at the England and Wales spectacle.

In their 6 attempts in 50-over World Cup, Pakistan have never won a single game against the Men In Blue. Even in their only World Cup triumph that came in 1992, India had outclassed the eventual champions in the 16th game of the prestigious tournament. It was the Master Blaster himself, who took home the man of the match honour with scintillating fifty to lead his side to a 43-run win over Imran Khan-led Pakistan.

The Indian cricket team have enjoyed an unprecedented winning run over arch-rivals Pakistan at the grandest stages of them all and they will be hoping to do the same when Virat Kohli and Co take on Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan. Speaking about the mouth-watering clash in a press conference on Sunday, batting legend Sachin admitted that the India Pakistan clash has always spiked excitement among the cricketing fans but it's important to keep in mind that India have only one goal whenever they enter the quadrennial event. Sachin said that India are going to the United Kingdom to win the Wolrd Cup.

"Since this question has been coming over the years I will answer the same way. In 2003 the people started calculating and said that no matter what happens you should win against Pakistan," Sachin said. "This generates excitement in the people but they should understand that Indian team is going to there win the World Cup and not just face one team," Sachin stated.

Sachin insisted that it will be better to finish the campaign as World champions rather than staying keen on extending the rivalry with arch-rivals. "So let’s hope for the World Cup win rather than just one single match. You just have to go and play good quality cricket and stick to the basics so that the results will follow the process,'' added the 46-year-old.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...indias-priorities-in-england-and-wales/425694

 

[satheesh]

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar believes much attention should not be given to high-octane clash with Pakistan at the ICC World Cup 2019 as Virat Kohli led side have travelled to England and Wales to bring home India's third title. With the ICC World Cup 2019 preparations going in full swing as team gears up for cricket's biggest extravaganza, India's clash with arch-rivals Pakistan is expected to be one of the most anticipated and talked about encounters at the England and Wales spectacle.

In their 6 attempts in 50-over World Cup, Pakistan have never won a single game against the Men In Blue. Even in their only World Cup triumph that came in 1992, India had outclassed the eventual champions in the 16th game of the prestigious tournament. It was the Master Blaster himself, who took home the man of the match honour with scintillating fifty to lead his side to a 43-run win over Imran Khan-led Pakistan.

The Indian cricket team have enjoyed an unprecedented winning run over arch-rivals Pakistan at the grandest stages of them all and they will be hoping to do the same when Virat Kohli and Co take on Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan. Speaking about the mouth-watering clash in a press conference on Sunday, batting legend Sachin admitted that the India Pakistan clash has always spiked excitement among the cricketing fans but it's important to keep in mind that India have only one goal whenever they enter the quadrennial event. Sachin said that India are going to the United Kingdom to win the Wolrd Cup.

"Since this question has been coming over the years I will answer the same way. In 2003 the people started calculating and said that no matter what happens you should win against Pakistan," Sachin said. "This generates excitement in the people but they should understand that Indian team is going to there win the World Cup and not just face one team," Sachin stated.

Sachin insisted that it will be better to finish the campaign as World champions rather than staying keen on extending the rivalry with arch-rivals. "So let’s hope for the World Cup win rather than just one single match. You just have to go and play good quality cricket and stick to the basics so that the results will follow the process,'' added the 46-year-old.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...indias-priorities-in-england-and-wales/425694

middle order batting is the main weakness of this team. If there is some juice in the pitch, then even top order is in disarray. Don't know what prompted SRT to make such a claim

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

middle order batting is the main weakness of this team. If there is some juice in the pitch, then even top order is in disarray. Don't know what prompted SRT to make such a claim

Because it is expected of him?