Veteran Indian cricketer VVS Laxman feels top two teams in ICC ODI team ranking – England and India – are favourites to win the ICC World Cup 2019 starting in May. The World Cup will be held in the United Kingdom.
Laxman said on Wednesday Virat Kohli and Co. were peaking at the right time after their historic ODI series victory in Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s all about peaking at the right time which is so important. The World Cup is a long format so every player should be at his best physically and mentally if India has to win the World Cup. They start as favourites. For me, India and England start as favourites,” Laxman told reporters on the sidelines of Bengal’s Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament preparations.
Laxman is a batting consultant with the Bengal team as a part of CAB’s Vision 2020 programme.
The World Cup starts from May 30 in England and Team India will take on South Africa in their opening game on June 5 in Southampton.
Virat Kohli-led Team India thrashed Australia 2-1 in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series and then went on to defeat New Zealand by a healthy margin of 4-1 in the five-match ODI series.
“I think brilliant. The way they played, I would like to congratulate the entire team,” Laxman said, before adding, “The way they played right from the Australia series to the New Zealand series… and it’s not only one or two players who have put their hand up. Everyone has contributed. So it’s great to see bowling and batting departments contribute.”
Team India will host Australia for two-match T20I series followed by five-match ODI series starting February 24.