WC 11 | "India favourites for World Cup": Lara & Bevan & Everyone Else [Merged]

[Shahrukh Khan]

Former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan has picked India as one of the favourites to win the World Cup starting next month in the sub-continent.Bevan, who has been roped in by Kings XI Punjab as their chief coach for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League, said Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys have it in them to lift the trophy on April 2."India is performing as a team, as a unit. One would have to say that they have come up great as a team.

I don't think so because India never performed good in ICC Tournaments in recent years and also one victory is due against India in World Cup. Who knows Pak will face India in Quarter Final or Semi Final.

So I will go with Pakistan

[Abidi110]

New Delhi, Jan 18: West Indian batting legend Brian Lara today said India are the favourites for the World Cup, beginning on Feb 19 in the sub-continent but cautioned them about the pressure of playing at home.
Lara, who was here for a cricket clinic, tipped South Africa as the second favourite team.
"India are the favourites to win the World Cup as they have the home advantage. But with advantage, there is also home pressure. In 1996 World Cup, hosted in the sub-continent, Sri Lanka, who were not really the favourites, won," he said.
"Australia, England and South Africa will keep the pressures while West Indies can cause a few surprises. Also, you always have to build your campaign in India. The teams who will slowly build themselves and then go all out towards the final stages are the one to be the most feared. But for a home team, it is going to be different. They have to start on top and end on top."
Lara said India have got a well-balanced side for the World Cup.
"India have always been a very good batting side and they are batting good in what was earlier considered to be not ideal conditions for them. The difference has been made by bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth taking early wickets."
Lara said that in the coming years no team would be invincibles like the West Indies of the past and most recently Australia.
"West Indies had their era of invincibility during 70s, 80s and early nineties. But cricket is a cycle and no team can always stay on the top. Every team which has put in the right infrastructure is bound to get to the top. The way Australia came up was very much like the way West Indies did," he said.
"India is travelling a lot around the world and producing results which no one expected. England have been very enterprising during their Ashes win. Now teams are more or less reaching the same level with the kind of awareness about technology and finess. The time of invincibility is gone now."
Lara, who is currently a batting consultant with the Zimbabwe team, said he is looking to work on the self confidence of the team and qualify for the second round of World Cup.
"I have done my research on Zimbabwe. The batting is my focus. They are not the fancied side but I hope they can spring a few surprises which would be important for them. As of now we are looking to qualify for the second stage." (IANS

http://headlinesindia.mapsofindia.co...ara-73260.html

[Abidi110]

Boycott and Bevan has also termed India as fav's for the WC

[Shahrukh Khan]

Lara didn't get a chance in IPL. Still hoping?

[Abidi110]

SK--India are the firm fav's, although teams like SL, Aus and SA can also win the cup, but if there is a team that has the best chance to win it after India got to be England.

I sincerely hopes India doesn't win the cup.

[Desire]

lara on "naqsh e qaf e pa" of wasim akram

[*sallu*]

I just can't see India winning the world cup

Yes they are a good side, but I don't see them winning 3 games in a row with their bowling against what will be in most likelihood 3 good sides in the quarters, semis and finals

I will be surprised.

Either an unpredictable side will win it this time (eg Pakistan or West Indies) or one of the consistent powerhouses (South Africa or England)

I can't see the middle normal teams like Ind, Australia or Sri Lanka winning it.

[cric]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 SK--India are the firm fav's, although teams like SL, Aus and SA can also win the cup, but if there is a team that has the best chance to win it after India got to be England. I sincerely hopes India doesn't win the cup.

[cric]

Originally Posted by *sallu* I just can't see India winning the world cup Yes they are a good side, but I don't see them winning 3 games in a row with their bowling against what will be in most likelihood 3 good sides in the quarters, semis and finals I will be surprised. Either an unpredictable side will win it this time (eg Pakistan or West Indies) or one of the consistent powerhouses (South Africa or England) I can't see the middle normal teams like Ind, Australia or Sri Lanka winning it.

Why is australia middle normal team and why is england powerhouse?

[Krishnan]

Originally Posted by Shahrukh Khan Lara didn't get a chance in IPL. Still hoping?

laradia are favorites-hoping for ipl
laradia not favorites-hatred against ipl for not selecting him
laradia joint favorites with england-looking for english county to select him and play in champions league organised by india

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by cric Why is australia middle normal team and why is england powerhouse?

Theres 3 types

The Powerhouses - Who rarely lose a match by playing poorly, you know what to expect by them. For me, right now, this is only Eng and RSA.

The Unpredictables - They can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone on their day, this is Pakistan and West Indies

The Very Good Sides - India, Australia and Sri Lanka. People will say they have a good chance, but I just don't think they'll win. Neither as consistent as the powerhouses, or capable of the upsets like the unpredictables.

[Shahrukh Khan]

Pakistan was favourite in 2003. We all know what happened.

[*sallu*]

Who said Pakistan was favourites in 2003 LOL

I suppose a batting line up of Taufeeq, Saleem Elahi and co was much better than a side consisting of Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Martyn, Symmonds, Clarke, McGrath?

Yes, Pakistan were favorites for 2003

[umerz]

India are favorites but i am not too hopeful about them for winning the WC. Their bowling isn't just up to the mark. Just my thoughts

[Sanchez]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Theres 3 types The Powerhouses - Who rarely lose a match by playing poorly, you know what to expect by them. For me, right now, this is only Eng and RSA. The Unpredictables - They can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone on their day, this is Pakistan and West Indies The Very Good Sides - India, Australia and Sri Lanka. People will say they have a good chance, but I just don't think they'll win. Neither as consistent as the powerhouses, or capable of the upsets like the unpredictables.

I think you are being fooled by AUS's poor form in tests. They are still a formidable outfit in LOI's as currently evident in the 1st ODI. And I think moreover SA & ENG will struggle against spin in the subcontinent. ENG have hope because they've got Swann and Morgan seems to be a good player of spin(very wristy) alongside Collingwood and KP. I don't wanna talk about SA, they'll manage to choke somewhere along the way. I don't think WI can lift the trophy. They might do well and reach the knockout stages with Gayle's help. But, that's the problem - they're over reliant on Gayle and their bowling sucks big time on these feather beds.
I'd say IND, AUS and PAK, ENG, SL with an outside chance. Theoretically speaking this is my prediction but, India won't be able to win the WC if Tendi plays
With India being declared as the favourites by everyone this is some kind of pressure they wouldn't have felt before. I think they will choke in front of their own home crowd
Let the jinx begin......

[saamry]

key to win against any good team would be that someone from your team makes a 100. India has a good chance of doing that if one of their players click.

I would suspect that India's new crop is more likely to produce match winning knocks than older guys (who have been around for a while and have not won the WC yet)

whoever wins, i hope they deserve it. I dont want to see any ugliness. Lets hope for clean and good competative cricket and let the best team win.

[hussnainn]

India are favorites and i am a super model..

[Shahrukh Khan]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Who the f*** said Pakistan was favourites in 2003 LOL I suppose a batting line up of Taufeeq, Saleem Elahi and co was much better than a side consisting of Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Martyn, Symmonds, Clarke, McGrath? Yes, Pakistan were favorites for 2003

Waqar Younis (c)
Abdul Razzaq
Azhar Mahmood
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Mohammad Sami
Rashid Latif (wk)
Saeed Anwar
Saleem Elahi
Saqlain Mushtaq
Shahid Afridi
Shoaib Akhtar
Taufeeq Umar
Wasim Akram
Younis Khan
Yousuf

This was the Squad of 2003 World Cup. Team with super stars and best bowling attack. They were the favourites according to Cricket Pandits.

By the way is it really necessary to use "F" word?

[akamaka]

This is great news, we need more and more of the public figures, past players and even the indian media to term them as the favourites for the world cup!

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by Shahrukh Khan Waqar Younis (c) Abdul Razzaq Azhar Mahmood Inzamam-ul-Haq Mohammad Sami Rashid Latif (wk) Saeed Anwar Saleem Elahi Saqlain Mushtaq Shahid Afridi Shoaib Akhtar Taufeeq Umar Wasim Akram Younis Khan Yousuf This was the Squad of 2003 World Cup. Team with super stars and best bowling attack. They were the favourites according to Cricket Pandits.

Most of the bowling attack was well past its sell by date. It wasn't "best" by a long shot.

The team had a few ageing stars, a few has-beens, and a few never-weres!

No one sensible ever believed they were the favourites. Maybe some were fooled into thinking they were one of the many very good sides, but I wasn't - you don't win with a few ageing and has-been stars, you win with a TEAM - as a TEAM, Pak had achieved zilch leading into that World Cup and were an absolute shower. No wonder we got thrashed.

The 2003 team was one of the poorest we had going into a tournie. Even the 2007 team had better form and pedigree, though fewer stars.

[Suresh Iyer]

Let's analyze:

India -- pressure of expectation; iffy bowling
Pakistan -- ragtag unit; batting thin
Sri Lanka -- inconsistent; over-reliance on a few batsmen; bowling thin
Australia -- going thru decline; Mike Hussey doubtful
South Africa -- reluctant to shed chokers tag
England -- not accustomed to winning tournaments
WI -- ragtag, lack of quality allround, raw captain
NZ -- over-reliant on Vettori; inconsistent, not used to winning
B'Desh -- will have overachieved if they qualify for quarters

What now?

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by Shahrukh Khan This was the Squad of 2003 World Cup. Team with super stars and best bowling attack. They were the favourites according to Cricket Pandits. By the way is it really necessary to use "F" word?

Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar were the only 2 bowlers still capable of any real performance by that time

Waqar was finished, Azhar and Razzaq weren't and to this day, still aren't consistent and Saqlain had constant injury niggles.

Same is with the batting, Afridi, Taufeeq and Saleem Elahi speak for themselves. The Younis Khan in this squad was before he discovered himself.
Saeed Anwar, despite that hundrer, was more or less finished as a batsman, and Rashid Latif, despite being an excellent keeper, was never Capable with the bat.

You can't win a world cup with Wasim, Akhtar, Inzi (who was going through a horror trot btw and did zilch in the world cup) and Yousuf alone.

On paper, the squad was good, but as a team, and even as individuals, apart from 2-3 names, no one was performing well consistently for a long time now.
Even then, the Pakistan side was good and under performed, agreed, but to say they were favourites is nothing short of crazy when a side of Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Martyn, Lehman, Symmonds, McGrath, Gillispie and Lee were all paying together virtually at their peaks and winning continuously for a no. of years.

There was only 1 favourite in the 2003 world cup

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by cric

Regardless of ur hysteria, England is a very good team and are one of the fav's.The only thing that goes against them is that they will be playing in subcontinent.

[adit_sh]

Then it is confirmed India is not winning this WC :-)

[kkmix]

India has no chance, they do, in fact, have big heads.

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by *sallu* I just can't see India winning the world cup Yes they are a good side, but I don't see them winning 3 games in a row with their bowling against what will be in most likelihood 3 good sides in the quarters, semis and finals I will be surprised. Either an unpredictable side will win it this time (eg Pakistan or West Indies) or one of the consistent powerhouses (South Africa or England) I can't see the middle normal teams like Ind, Australia or Sri Lanka winning it.

Absolutely correct. I have the same fear.

Winning a series of 5 is different than winning a tournament as in a tournament there will me must win matches as the tournament progresses.

With India's bowling, the batting has to click 10 out of 10 times with flying colors. One day the batting has a bad day and we are out of the tournament.

[Mobashir]

If Lara said it then India is favorite!

[Zamee]

I dont think bowlers will matter that much on dead tracks....so there is a fair chance India will win this worldcup!!
and i dont think Lara is saying just for getting into the IPL, comeon guys be serious lol

[Random Aussie]

"One would have to say..."?

Yes because Australians talk like that. LOL

Anyway, Bevan wouldn't happen to be working in India would he?

[Zamee]

Keeping in mind there performances in South Africa, yes they are favourites...

[Ashraful_Rox]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie "One would have to say..."? Yes because Australians talk like that. LOL Anyway, Bevan wouldn't happen to be working in India would he?

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ranjisup...ry/497206.html

Yup, he's working in India, named Orissa's Coach.
But India are clear favorites they have excellent record coming into the series, clean sweeping kiwis, then 2-1 against South Africa, may as well win the series from the likes of it. Also at home beating them is sometimes near Impossible.

[kkmix]

The word "India" should be censored like ***** because it's being used way too often.

[Sufi Malang]

India and England are favourites considering their form going into the world cup. But India are not as strong favourites as Australia used to be in the last few CUPS.

[hussnainn]

India are favorites and Zardari is a very pious Man..

[dani2k]

Thanks..but no thanks. We have enough pressure already and if India are favorites that is only to reach the QFs. The knock outs could be anybody's day. I hope and pray that India's bowling attack steps up to the challenge. One bad day in office and we are doomed.

Fingers crossed!

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie "One would have to say..."? Yes because Australians talk like that. LOL Anyway, Bevan wouldn't happen to be working in India would he?

He is working as Orissa state team coach. (happens to be my state and very poor team) ;)

Also, I think he is also coach of one of the IPL teams. Preity Zinta's team ?

[*sallu*]

Respect to the mod who merged this

[Shahrukh Khan]

Originally Posted by Krishnan laradia are favorites-hoping for ipl laradia not favorites-hatred against ipl for not selecting him laradia joint favorites with england-looking for english county to select him and play in champions league organised by india

Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar

[Romali_rotti]

Now Good to see no Indians have termed India favourites....

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti Now Good to see no Indians have termed India favourites....

I thought Kapil was still an Indian!

Kapil Dev and Vivian Richards feel India are runaway favourites to win next year’s World Cup, but Imran Khan and Arjuna Ranatunga added a note of caution about their ability to crumble under pressure, especially at home.

“They are the No 1 side in the world (in Tests) and have a volatile crowd behind them. They have something to defend. The team is going to South Africa where pitches will be different but it can prove to be helpful as they prepare for the World Cup,” West Indian Richards, a member of the 1975 and 1979 World Cup-winning squads, said.

Dev said that India’s first priority should be to make the semifinals. “If you want to win the cup, you need to play well in those 20-30 days.”

While Imran Khan termed India as favourites, he cited how West Indies and Pakistan were favourites in the 1983 and 1987 editions, but buckled down under pressure.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga termed his country as favourites and didn’t forget to mention that Indians tend to crumble when they play in front of huge crowds. “I have seen the Indian team fail in pressure situations while playing in front of 100,000 people (at the Eden Gardens in 1996). There are times when the expectations are huge and it takes a toll,” Ranatunga said. The former skipper feels that Lankans have a potent combination with experienced players such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Muralitharan to name a few.

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report...ld-cup_1479183

[Abidi110]

Bhajji Singh said that India after winning the cup will dedicate it to tendulkar.

[cricketfan2010]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Theres 3 types The Powerhouses - Who rarely lose a match by playing poorly, you know what to expect by them. For me, right now, this is only Eng and RSA. The Unpredictables - They can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone on their day, this is Pakistan and West Indies The Very Good Sides - India, Australia and Sri Lanka. People will say they have a good chance, but I just don't think they'll win. Neither as consistent as the powerhouses, or capable of the upsets like the unpredictables.

South Africa just lost 2 matches in a row to bunch of FTBS on difficult batting pitches in their own backyard. England just lost 2 matches in a row too. I think your analysis is flawed.

[Romali_rotti]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 I thought Kapil was still an Indian! Kapil Dev and Vivian Richards feel India are runaway favourites to win next year’s World Cup, but Imran Khan and Arjuna Ranatunga added a note of caution about their ability to crumble under pressure, especially at home. “They are the No 1 side in the world (in Tests) and have a volatile crowd behind them. They have something to defend. The team is going to South Africa where pitches will be different but it can prove to be helpful as they prepare for the World Cup,” West Indian Richards, a member of the 1975 and 1979 World Cup-winning squads, said. Dev said that India’s first priority should be to make the semifinals. “If you want to win the cup, you need to play well in those 20-30 days.” While Imran Khan termed India as favourites, he cited how West Indies and Pakistan were favourites in the 1983 and 1987 editions, but buckled down under pressure. Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga termed his country as favourites and didn’t forget to mention that Indians tend to crumble when they play in front of huge crowds. “I have seen the Indian team fail in pressure situations while playing in front of 100,000 people (at the Eden Gardens in 1996). There are times when the expectations are huge and it takes a toll,” Ranatunga said. The former skipper feels that Lankans have a potent combination with experienced players such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Muralitharan to name a few. http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report...ld-cup_1479183

Show me where Kapil says India are favourites....

[Romali_rotti]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 Bhajji Singh said that India after winning the cup will dedicate it to tendulkar.

I am sure Harbhajan wouldve said he would like to win the WC for SRT. However if you can give me a link where he says India are favourites to win, please do show me...

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti Show me where Kapil says India are favourites....

The headline of ur newspaper was that Kapil has termed India runaway fav's, you can kindly direct your question to them

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti I am sure Harbhajan wouldve said he would like to win the WC for SRT. However if you can give me a link where he says India are favourites to win, please do show me...

Did i ever said that Harbhajan has termed India fav's? I only mentioned that Bhajji wants to DEDICATE this WC to Sachin.

And you will soon have many Indians terming India as fav's, only a matter of time.

[Romali_rotti]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 The headline of ur newspaper was that Kapil has termed India runaway fav's, you can kindly direct your question to them

Ok so good to see you realise Kapil havent termed India favourites..

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti Ok so good to see you realise Kapil havent termed India favourites..

Unfortunately your beloved newspaper still haven't.

And like i said earlier, there will be many Indians who will term India fav's soon, just a matter of time.

[cricnut]

The Indian Cricket Team and the England Football Team are the two most over-paid, over-hyped and over-rated teams in the history of World of Sports .

And more often than not they perform similar in big tournaments where they are pinned as favourites

[ganeshran]

This must be a jinx thread.. Pakistan will win the world cup

[Shahrukh Khan]

last ICC CT, last two ICC T20 World Cups sumup why they won't win the 2011 World Cup

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by cricketfan2010 South Africa just lost 2 matches in a row to bunch of FTBS on difficult batting pitches in their own backyard. England just lost 2 matches in a row too. I think your analysis is flawed.

I know I am going against cricketing cliches but trust me, 1 player does make a lot of difference

A RSA side with Kallis and without Kallis is like 2 different sides.

As for England, lol, they lost 1 ODI, hold your horses. They've been very consistent for a long while. And even they lost that ODI without their 2 gun bowlers Anderson and Broad.

And even though these 2 IMO are the best ODI sides, this doesn't mean they'll win every single match or even do well in the world cup.

But when you post here, its mostly based on probabilities, and certainly England and RSA are high up the ladder in that regard

[Sanchez]

Originally Posted by *sallu* I know I am going against cricketing cliches but trust me, 1 player does make a lot of difference A RSA side with Kallis and without Kallis is like 2 different sides. As for England, lol, they lost 1 ODI, hold your horses. They've been very consistent for a long while. And even they lost that ODI without their 2 gun bowlers Anderson and Broad. And even though these 2 IMO are the best ODI sides, this doesn't mean they'll win every single match or even do well in the world cup. But when you post here, its mostly based on probabilities, and certainly England and RSA are high up the ladder in that regard

Whatever you say SA r a bunch of chokers. I'd never term them as favorites especially in the subcontinent. Their batsmen also have a tendency to unravel against spinners. I'm sick of everyone terming them as favorites before every single tournament and then they manage to knock themselves out of it. Duh

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Garuda He is working as Orissa state team coach. (happens to be my state and very poor team) ;) Also, I think he is also coach of one of the IPL teams. Preity Zinta's team ?

I have always wondered about the quotes in Indian media (and also Pakistan media) when they carry stories about our guys. Because we do not, I repeat do not, speak English like that.

We do not say for example, "one must..." and there are a bunch of others over the years I have seen attributed to Australian cricketers.

I am not suggesting the statements are total lies but - are they spoken in English, translated to another language and then translated back to English?

[Krishnan]

Why such a hue and cry for someone being favorites.It just means on form they are likely to win it,though it is very difficult from the quarter final stage.Aussie were favorites in 2003,2007 and now india are though aussies of those years were far more dominating.No one is saying india is going to win,they are just likely to win based on form and strength.

Again i just want to see south africa win the world cup.They deserve it a lot more considering how unlucky they have been in about 3 world cups in the past.

[Romali_rotti]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 Unfortunately your beloved newspaper still haven't. And like i said earlier, there will be many Indians who will term India fav's soon, just a matter of time.

So far no one.....

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti So far no one.....

And the elapsed time has been several days, right?

[malakian]

India are clear favourites in my book, the rest are too close to call.

[Amjid Javed]

India are huge favourites and rightly so.

Hopefully no stadiums will be burnt down when they crash out!

[style_guru]

Firing thunderballs on an Oz,RSA or an Eng. pitch is lauded. But doing the same on concrete road alike pitches of sub continent is a completely different ball game. This negates the effectiveness of the fast ballers of most teams to a great extent. The little hibbly-hobbly bits and pieces ballers are the ones those will be more effective here and the same is lacked by Oz,RSA,Eng.,NZ etc because these type of ballers are not needed in their conditions. Thus to say that Indian balling is pussyfooted, spineless, below par etc. isn't the wisest thing to say given the blunt nature of the pitches.
That said, the batting is what shall make teams win this world cup. Again, on dead pitches you really cant favor any particular batsman as whoever adjusts to the slow bounce and plays with a straight bat through the line shall get rewarded.
So its even stevens as far as team strengths are concerned.

P.S: I'll personally tip SL to win because they have the 'Weather gods' with them in every game to be played in SL

[adit_sh]

Originally Posted by Krishnan Why such a hue and cry for someone being favorites.It just means on form they are likely to win it,though it is very difficult from the quarter final stage.Aussie were favorites in 2003,2007 and now india are though aussies of those years were far more dominating.No one is saying india is going to win,they are just likely to win based on form and strength. Again i just want to see south africa win the world cup.They deserve it a lot more considering how unlucky they have been in about 3 world cups in the past.

More than SA, I think England need to win the cup as they have never done it. They were so unlucky in 83,87 & 92

[Wanton]

Most People here are underrating indian bolwers, they are bowling really well in death overs now a days. For instance the in the match against Pak in Asia Cup, at one Point Pak was unstoppable but then Nehra, Kumar etc bowled really good. For me India is clear favourite.

[Romali_rotti]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 And the elapsed time has been several days, right?

Not one Indian or former INDIAN players hyping India as favourites, so far sound good to me..

[ganeshran]

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti Not one Indian or former INDIAN players hyping India as favourites, so far sound good to me..

Indians know we dont have any clear advantages like the Australians did for the last 3 world cups. The only thing going for India is the local conditions and that is not enough to win the world cup.

[jusarrived]

on paper yes , we would beat most sides 9 out of 10 times on indian conditions , except may be Aus ans SA . ..the KO format gives mediocre sides a chance of an upset , but this is not T20 mind you ..I cant see any team outside the top 4 ( Ind , SA , Aus , Eng ) winning this ...SL may be has an outside chance .

[Shahrukh Khan]

Originally Posted by Wanton Most People here are underrating indian bolwers, they are bowling really well in death overs now a days. For instance the in the match against Pak in Asia Cup, at one Point Pak was unstoppable but then Nehra, Kumar etc bowled really good. For me India is clear favourite.

Wait for

[jusarrived]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Theres 3 types The Powerhouses - Who rarely lose a match by playing poorly, you know what to expect by them. For me, right now, this is only Eng and RSA. The Unpredictables - They can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone on their day, this is Pakistan and West Indies The Very Good Sides - India, Australia and Sri Lanka. People will say they have a good chance, but I just don't think they'll win. Neither as consistent as the powerhouses, or capable of the upsets like the unpredictables.

wired logic , cos if anything ...Aus and India have been more consistent than SA and Eng , anyway you look at it (ICC rankings indicate consistency , if not for anything else )..ok you have your personal favs , but to say that Eng and SA are powerhouses is just BS .

[Pakistani.]

Originally Posted by jusarrived wired logic , cos if anything ...Aus and India have been more consistent than SA and Eng , anyway you look at it (ICC rankings indicate consistency , if not for anything else )..ok you have your personal favs , but to say that Eng and SA are powerhouses is just BS .

I don't think England and South Africa are power houses. England doesn't have a good record in the sub continent and South Africa will choke one game or another. For me the team to watch out is India, Australia, Srilanka, and to some extent South Africa.

And yeh never forget Pakistan.

[gsivak]

Originally Posted by ganeshran This must be a jinx thread.. Pakistan will win the world cup

I think Pak, SL, Aus, Eng and SA are all favorites. India has very mediocre bowling and are most likely to choke due to pressure from playing at home - I think India are the underdogs

[cricketindiafan]

SL have to be the biggest favorites for this WC. Playing in familiar conditions, always do well in ICC tournaments, have got a very good ODI outfit with a brilliant bowling attack.

Dilshan, Mahela, Tharanga, Sanga, Samarveera, Kapugedera, Matthews, Thissera Perrera, Murali, Mendis, Malinga, Kulasekra..as good a ODI outfit as you find. Only apparent wekaness is the lower middle order but Matthews is a massively improved player and will hold the middle order tgether in case of a crisis.

For India to win this one, we will need Bhajji and our part timers(Yuvraj, Raina, Yusuf etc) to pull it off for us.

[md_tariq]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Theres 3 types The Powerhouses - Who rarely lose a match by playing poorly, you know what to expect by them. For me, right now, this is only Eng and RSA. The Unpredictables - They can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone on their day, this is Pakistan and West Indies The Very Good Sides - India, Australia and Sri Lanka. People will say they have a good chance, but I just don't think they'll win. Neither as consistent as the powerhouses, or capable of the upsets like the unpredictables.

Calling England powerhouse is little OTT. They have been consistantly winning only when they play in England or anywhere outside subcontinent. their record in subcontinent is very poor. they lost to india 5-0 last time they toured. they also lost the ODI series against srilanka. If they had toured pakistan, they wud have lost the series. Pakistan has more chance to win this world cup than England IMHO.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Garuda Absolutely correct. I have the same fear. Winning a series of 5 is different than winning a tournament as in a tournament there will me must win matches as the tournament progresses. With India's bowling, the batting has to click 10 out of 10 times with flying colors. One day the batting has a bad day and we are out of the tournament.

How can you say that after in recent series' in some matches our bowlers have restricted the opposition to low totals? I would say our bowling has won us more matches recently than our batting even on flat tracks

But I like our bowlers being under-rated and the opposition taking them lightly.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by *sallu* I know I am going against cricketing cliches but trust me, 1 player does make a lot of difference A RSA side with Kallis and without Kallis is like 2 different sides. As for England, lol, they lost 1 ODI, hold your horses. They've been very consistent for a long while. And even they lost that ODI without their 2 gun bowlers Anderson and Broad. And even though these 2 IMO are the best ODI sides, this doesn't mean they'll win every single match or even do well in the world cup. But when you post here, its mostly based on probabilities, and certainly England and RSA are high up the ladder in that regard

1 Player makes a lot of difference to the SA side but losing 4 top players, Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir and Praveen Kumar doesnt make a difference to India?

As for consitancy, India and Australia have been more consitant that South Africa and Englnd

[mastermind_quad]

Our players should play there natural games .....WC & home crowd pressure will be there but they can utilize that for there benefit and convert these pressures in Match winning performances ...I hope they all play with there potentials .....All the best team India... :

[Hooked _for_6]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Theres 3 types The Powerhouses - Who rarely lose a match by playing poorly, you know what to expect by them. For me, right now, this is only Eng and RSA. The Unpredictables - They can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone on their day, this is Pakistan and West Indies The Very Good Sides - India, Australia and Sri Lanka. People will say they have a good chance, but I just don't think they'll win. Neither as consistent as the powerhouses, or capable of the upsets like the unpredictables.

Mate where do you get this from? England and SA powerhouses? SA are currently getting hammered at home by Indian side missing half the batting line up. They also barely scraped by a weakened PAK side in the UAE.

And England in ODIs? Didn't they just lose to Australia in the first ODI? But they have beaten Bangladesh both home and away so I guess that's something.

For me its quite simple. The favorites by a stretch are Australia (No1 in ODI, Current World Champions, Current Champions Trophy Champions) and India (Beating SA at home, beaten Australia and SL (and Bangladesh too!!!), current Asia cup champions and No2 in the world).

The outside card is Pakistan. If the bookies stay away I think they can hammer SL.

InsAllah it will be a India vs Pak final.

[Abidi110]

There is no point denying that India are the firm fav's and probably the strongest team. However i believe that England has a very good team and they too have an excellent chance to win their first WC.Looks like England is a very underrated team on this forum.

[Hooked _for_6]

Originally Posted by Abidi110 There is no point denying that India are the firm fav's and probably the strongest team. However i believe that England has a very good team and they too have an excellent chance to win their first WC.Looks like England is a very underrated team on this forum.

It depends very much on how the remaining games go against Aus. If they get hammered 7-0 or 6-1 you will find their new found confidence (/arrogance) deserting them.

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Hooked _for_6 It depends very much on how the remaining games go against Aus. If they get hammered 7-0 or 6-1 you will find their new found confidence (/arrogance) deserting them.

Crowd pressure, and weight of expectations! that would be a crucial factor for them.Dhoni's men knows that if they do loose then their public will turn nuts.

[Wasim_Waqar]

India for me, have one of the greatest ODI batting line-ups in the history of the game.,

Zaheer and Harbhajan on his day- are quality.

However, Praveen, Nehra and a combined 5th bowler on those wickets may well go the distance.

I feel that as mentioned above, the batting has to click every match otherwise India will not make the final. I feel that in Asia, the western teams are more likely to do well just due to the severe pressure on the hosts.

I think Pakistan may benefit by the lack of attenion on our team and that we're not at home per se.

[Abidi110]

Originally Posted by Wasim_Waqar India for me, have one of the greatest ODI batting line-ups in the history of the game., Zaheer and Harbhajan on his day- are quality. However, Praveen, Nehra and a combined 5th bowler on those wickets may well go the distance. I feel that as mentioned above, the batting has to click every match otherwise India will not make the final. I feel that in Asia, the western teams are more likely to do well just due to the severe pressure on the hosts. I think Pakistan may benefit by the lack of attenion on our team and that we're not at home per se.

I believe a team like England has a better all round team, but what makes India a far stronger team is their powerful batting.As for India's bowling, i think in onedayer its decent.If India's batting do click in every match, then it will be hard for anyone to stop them.