World Cup 2019: Mark Waugh disagrees with Brendon McCullum’s prediction for Indian team

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had led the New Zealand team to their very first World Cup final in 2015 and now has wisely transitioned from a player to a media expert and is part of the commentators’ team for the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. He is also one of the most honest and to the point expert, who doesn’t like to sugarcoat things.

After a couple of matches in the tournament, which saw England and West Indies rout South Africa and Pakistan respectively; McCullum decided to put his thoughts on paper and predicted the results of each team in the tournament and also named his four semifinalists. Going on with the current form and previous results of each of the team, McCullum predicted that England, India and Australia will be the three semi-finalists.

With India, Australia and England chose as the semi-finalists, the former Kiwi opener further mentioned that the race for the last knockout spot will be between New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Pakistan and wished his team all the luck.

Here are the predictions made by Brendon McCullum

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World Cup game by game predictions. 4 teams will fight out the 4th qualifying spot and net run rate will decide who progresses. Rain and luck will likely play a part as well. I hope Nz gets that little bit of luck and can qualify. Enjoy the 6 week celebration of the best players on the planet. 🤙🏼 #CWC2019

A post shared by Brendon McCullum (@bazmccullum42) on May 31, 2019 at 12:13am PDT

Mark Waugh disagrees with McCullum’s predictions for India

Many users gave their own predictions on his post, but former Australian opener and selector Mark Waugh disagreed on one key aspect of the predictions. He was not sure about India making it through to the semis and that too with just one loss, as predicted by McCullum. He felt that the team might struggle to make it to the knockouts given how much they are dependent on skipper Virat Kohli and bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Waugh also pointed out a fatal flaw in Men in Blue’s armour, their weak middle order. He mentioned that the team was uncertain about its lineup after the top three and to some degree what he says is true. India only found a batsman to bat at No.4 after Rahul hit a century against Bangladesh in the warm-up game, while Dhoni, Pandya and Jadhav’s batting spots are not yet determined.

Junior, as Mark Waugh is lovingly called, kept New Zealand ahead of West Indies and South Africa for the fourth semifinal spot and said that India might sneak in with England and Australia being firm favourites.

Good summary. IMO I think England and Aust certain semi finalists. India not so sure but probably sneak in.Preparation a little suspect and batting lineup uncertain in the middle order. Big reliance on Kohli and Bumrah. NZ slightly ahead of WI and Sth Africa for 4th.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) May 31, 2019