Aakash Chopra picks the favourites for 2019 World Cup

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels India start as favourite in the ICC World Cup 2019 scheduled in England and Wales in May-July for the Men in Blue have a lot of things going in their favour. India will be the last of the 10 teams to begin their campaign in the quadrennial event when they play South Africa in Southampton on June 5, a week after the tournament starts.

The 41-year-old former cricketer who does commentary and analysis on the game now said India have a fine balance in bowling and batting and since England has been a happy hunting ground for the Asian powerhouse, he felt Virat Kohli’s men would be able to achieve the special feat this time as well. It may be noted here that India won their first World Cup on English soil in 1983 when Kapil Dev’s team defeated the mighty Windies.

“This team has a lot of things going in its favour. The bowling is outstanding and you have got some of the finest batsmen. So a lot of things are in India’s favour and hopefully England will be nice and accommodating for us as it has happened in the past — the two Champions Trophies (finalist in 2017 and winner in 2013), so hopefully we will be able to pick up the World Cup,” Chopra, who did not play in any limited-over game for India, was quoted as saying by Sportstar Live. He was speaking on the sidelines of the World Cup Trophy tour on Saturday.

Chopra is of the opinion that India have found the right combination for the World Cup now Ambati Rayudu, who made a comeback to the national side after a hiatus earlier this year, securing the No.4 spot in the batting order.

Rayudu has secured No.4 spot

“His (Rayudu) boarding pass, in my opinion, is already printed for that flight to England. At No. 4, I see him batting in England (at the World Cup) unless something drastic happens in the meantime, which I don’t think will happen,” Chopra said.

Indian players for the World Cup will be playing in the gruelling Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the mega event and when asked whether that could affect them, Chopra said captain Kohli has already sought rest for his main bowlers in the IPL, adding that even the batsmen might also require the same.

“There will be some amount of work-load management, working towards the World Cup, so let’s wait and watch instead of jumping the gun,” he said.

India have won the World Cup twice while finished as the runners-up once, as have the Windies. The most number of titles have been won by defending champions Australia (five).

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