Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
Amid the farce in Centurion, where lunch was called with India needing two to win with 186 balls remaining, India proved once again how strong they are as an ODI side. Yes, South Africa were missing AB De Villiers and Faf Du Plessis, but South Africa still possess a strong ODI side on paper, and India have swept them aside in the first two ODIs.
A question you need to ask yourself is – would all sides thrash South Africa right now like India are? I’d say no, so you have to give credit to the Indians. India have made the hosts look ordinary, and if India win the series as they should, it will be their ninth straight bilateral ODI series win.
Seeing how impressive India are in ODI cricket should fill their fans with hope about their 2019 World Cup chances. South Africa look uncertain; so do Australia, and England can be a let-down in big tournaments. Not to mention Pakistan’s inconsistency, New Zealand’s inability to truly go to that extra level, and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s lack of resources to win in foreign conditions.
Here are three main reasons why India should be favourites for the 2019 World Cup:
The rise of the wristspinners
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been huge for India in limited overs cricket. In the current series in South Africa, these two have combined for 13/121 in 34.2 overs, completely ripping apart and embarrassing proven ODI cricketers. Yes, they will face better players of spin in the lead up to the World Cup, but the conditions in England for the tournament, which are likely to be slow and flat, could see these two give India a huge edge in the tournament. Middle over wickets are very important in the format, and these two can deliver.
Also, add the excellent partnership of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and India have an strong, well-rounded attack.
Learning from the Champions Trophy experience
India were humbled by a rampant Pakistan, but if those two sides played again in a final right now, India would win because they are far more consistent. The Champions Trophy Final defeat could very well be a blessing for India, which they can use as a learning curve to see what they can improve on for the World Cup in the same country.
Also, neither of India’s wristspinners were playing, and I felt that India had the mindset that “oh, whatever Pakistan get, we have the best batting line up to chase it.” India made plenty of mistakes that day, but with a winner in Virat Kohli at the helm, the learnings could serve them well for the World Cup.
Virat Kohli
India have a strong ODI batting line up, filled with experience, runs and double hundreds. The likes of Rohit, Shikhar, Rahane and MS Dhoni are all magnificent players in this format. However, if India don’t have Virat Kohli in their team, that would seriously ruin their chances of lifting the World Cup. I personally don’t give them a chance to lift the trophy without him in the team. This is no disrespect to the other players, but rather exemplary of how influential Kohli is – the best ODI batsman in the world.
Kohli has struck 33 centuries in 204 ODIs, which are ridiculous numbers, and has guided India in countless chases over the years (20 of his 33 ODI centuries have come when chasing). Kohli the batsman is a huge factor, but he also has a passionate and competitive mindset, and this man can certainly help India get over the line.
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If the World Cup was to start tomorrow, India have the ingredients to win it.
