Australia and England will be India's challengers in World Cup, says Sachin Tendulkar

Team India’s pre-World Cup campaign has started on a bad note. The second best ODI side in the world suffered a big loss to New Zealand in their warm-up game last week to receive a timely wake-up call. The Indian batsmen looked all at sea in testing conditions as Trent Boult-led New Zealand made light work of the two-time winners.

In swinging conditions, Boult led the charge by destroying India’s top-order, sending back Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul cheaply. He eventually finished with four wickets as New Zealand bowled out India for a paltry 180. In reply, the Black Caps chased down the total with utmost ease with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor scoring fifties.

The Men in Blue will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Bangladesh in their second and last warm-up game on May 28, before the World Cup starts on May 30. Hosts England will take on South Africa in the first game of the tournament.

India’s challengers at World Cup:

As India gear up to win the biggest prize in the game, legendary Sachin Tendulkar feels Australia and England will be the team’s biggest challengers. Australia are the defending champions and have found back their form at the right time. The team from Down Under have won their last 8 ODIs including 3 against India and recently beat England in the warm-up clash.

England, on the other hand, are the number one ranked ODI side in the world. The Eoin Morgan-led side has looked like the most dangerous team in the world in the last couple of years and enter the tournament on the back of 11 series unbeaten run. The home conditions will also aid England.

“England will be one and Australia for sure. Both are well balanced. The other two are South Africa and New Zealand. Pakistan and West Indies are strong too. But if I have to pick two, then the games against Australia and England will be crucial,” Sachin Tendulkar told Bombay Mirror.

Meanwhile, India will start their campaign on June 5 against South Africa in Southampton.