ICC World Cup 2019: Sunil Gavaskar names the finalists of the tournament

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar is confident that the two finalists of the upcoming ICC World Cup will be two-time champions India and hosts England and that MS Dhoni would be his captain Virat Kohli’s biggest advantage. England and India are currently ranked first and second in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) list of teams in ODIs. India have won the tournament in 1983 and 2011 while England missed it by a win on three occasions – 1979, 1987 and 1992.

India have been playing well in the 50-over format for some time now, losing just one series (to England last year) and beat teams like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand on their soil. The Three Lions have also been in a prime touch in the same format since their humiliating exit from the World Cup in 2015 and are nearing another series win in the Windies currently. While Eoin Morgan’s side was set to take on Windies in the final of the five-match series in Gros Islet on Saturday, Kohli’s India were to take on Australia in their first game of the series in Hyderabad.

Gavaskar, who was a member of the Indian team that won the WC in 1983 in England, said apart from already getting a taste of English conditions in their last visit that would help them prepare better for the mega event, Dhoni’s presence behind the stumps would also be the side’s biggest advantage. The upcoming WC will be the fourth for the 37-year-old wicket-keeper-batsman who led India to their second WC title in 2011.

“It certainly is an India vs England final. I think the best thing for Virat is that he has got MS Dhoni around him – Virat has to be in the deep. From the deep, it’s not always possible.. that’s when MSD comes into play. That is Virat’s biggest plus,” said Gavaskar at the India Today Conclave 2019 on Friday.

Kohli has a bowling attack that can take deliver in any condition

“He has got a bowling attack which can take wickets in any kind of conditions. 390 is not going to happen with this Indian bowling attack. All-round, the team that has got, is the team that is being moulded by MSK Prasad and his co-selectors.”

England are currently in an explosive batting form and scored over 350-400 twice in the ongoing series against the Windies. Batsmen like Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Morgan are in super touch and will be a force to reckon in their own backyard. India will face England in Edgbaston at the World Cup on June 30.

Former Australia cricketers Mathew Hayden and Michael Clarke, who were also present at the event, added their country as the third probable winner. Australia have won the tournament five times since 1987 and are the current champions but their recent form has been far from satisfactory.

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