Tuesday, 3 February 2015

World Cup 2015: Contenders

This month people are going to celebrate love while I am going to celebrate cricket. It's time for world cup 2015. World cup is just round the corner so let's have a look at the contenders.

India

Being an Indian by heart and soul it is my moral duty to begin with India. As I mentioned in my previous post that I don't think this Indian team can win this world cup. Recent one-day series in Australia proved my point. I feel Dhoni should keep his ego aside now and should call seniors back into the team. At present team India is in all sorts of trouble. Dhawan not clicking well, backbone of Indian batting (Raina and Kohli) is getting weak, Rayudu lacks experience to play on Australian pitches, Dhoni is not playing his natural game and bowlers are just trying to keep themselves fit rather than thinking to perform well.

There are lot of injuries in the team and still some time to correct mistakes by bringing Yuvraj and Zaheer back in the side. If they join the team before warm-up games then they will get time to adapt to conditions during warm-up games and will be ready for the world cup quickly. These senior lads have won the world cup for their team so they will change the whole atmosphere of dressing room with their energy. Yuvraj and Zaheer will make team India stronger and capable of defending the world cup. Otherwise this team can max reach to quarters with the help of associate nations. Ravi Shastri wants an year for this team to perform well overseas but world cup is in this month only and we need seniors to keep it with ourselves.

Australia

Australia is outright favourite to win this world cup. They have a great side led by great captain Bailey, all of its players are in form, it is a well balanced side and above all they are playing at home. Only question is about Clarke now. I don't think Australia need him and he will only disturb the right combination. So it is better for Australia that he stays away from the team. Each and every player of Australian team is in top form.

Australia have openers like Finch and Warner who can torment any bowling order in this world. Players like Smith, Bailey, Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Haddin and Faulkner follow them. Each of these players can win matches for Australia single handedly. All of them are pure breed of match winners. I don't think this batting order needs Clarke anymore. Now let's come on to Australia's bowling. Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins haven't learnt to bowl slower than 140 on bouncy pitches of Australia. At the moment all of these bowlers are picking up wickets at will. As per me Australians are outright favourites to win this world cup.

South Africa

Who can forget that 31 ball 100 from DeVilliers. I will never get bored of that innings. I was lucky to witness that innings from the best player of the game. Moreover he is captain of the South Africa. If the captain is like that then imagine how much dangerous will be his team. Batsmen like Amla, DuPlessis, Duminy and Miller needs no description. Moreover I think South Africa's bowling is best in this world cup. Steyn, Morne Morkel, Philander just love to bowl on the bouncy Australian pitches. Only worry for them is Tahir. I don't know why didn't they picked Robin Peterson instead. Phangiso is their other spinning option apart from Tahir but he is way too inexperienced for Aussie land but DeVilliers have Duminy as back up who can bowl 10 overs.

Everytime only one thing stand between South Africa and world cup that is their ability to choke. Almost in every world cup South Africa has potential team to win it but they chocked every single time. This time I think they again have the best team. I wish they come out as winners this time as India can't defend it with the current team.

New Zealand

I haven't seen more balanced New Zealand side in my life. Batsmen like McCullum, Williamson and Taylor are in top form since last year. Allrounder like Corey Anderson add that spark to the team as he can hit the long ball and can pick up few wickets. Experienced player like Vettori completes in their bowling line-up and make their side well equipped. Fast bowlers are relatively new but that's not an issue as they are playing at home so these bowlers knows the conditions inside out.

Despite playing at home New Zealand has brought Vettori back from his retirement. This shows how much they value their experienced players. There was no need to pick Vettori as he was retired but New Zealand cricket knows his importance in the team which Indian selectors and Dhoni don't know of their experienced players. For me all these factors make New Zealand favourite to win the world cup.

According to me Australia, South Africa and New Zealand will qualify for semis easily and most probably one of them will win this world cup.

Read about remaining contenders here.

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