World Cup 2019: Sourav Ganguly backs India to do well in the tournament

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has said that Virat Kohli-led India would be the team to watch out for in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. Currently ranked second in the ODIs, India are one of the widely-tipped favourites to win the coveted trophy in England and Wales this summer. However, the recent performance and the turn of events have raised concerns over whether India could still go all the way.

In their last assignment, India lost to Australia at home. Virat Kohli & Co. had taken a two-nil lead in the series but had still ended up on the losing side after being outplayed in the last three games. The selectors then dropped Ambati Rayudu from the side which means India’s number four is still not finalised for the all-important tournament. Vijay Shankar is likely to bat number four but his inexperience could hurt India in a competition where a single mistake could prove very costly.

However, Ganguly is ‘very, very confident’ about India’s chances in the mega-event, saying that the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah and others make the team a very strong outfit.

“I am very, very confident in our squad and I think Indian cricket will always be strong,” Ganguly said before adding: “This team under Virat (Kohli)is a very strong team. And a team which has players like Kohli, Rohit (Sharma), (Shikhar) Dhawan, (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Hardik) Pandya or MS Dhoni has to be a side to watch out for,” Dada said as quoted by Sportstar.

A fantastic World Cup

The legendary batsman, who had led India to the final of the 2003 World Cup, further said that the upcoming World Cup will be a fantastic one. With all the ten teams set to play each other once in the league phase, Ganguly said that the new format will make each team deliver its best.

“It will be a fantastic World Cup. There are no easy names. This format was put into play last time in 1992 when everyone played everyone and the best ones went on to qualify. This format will bring the best out of everyone,”  he said while adding: “They are all strong teams. A couple of years ago it was different. Now, West Indies is strong. Australia is back to where they were. India is strong… New Zealand is strong.”

The World Cup will get underway on May 30. Hosts England will lock horns against South Africa at the Oval in the tournament opener.

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