Ashwin might have made a difference at SCG: Gavaskar criticises mid-series retirement
Ravichandran Ashwin’s shocking retirement call in the middle of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar series has drawn sharp criticism from batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar
Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar feels that the English cricket team is the most favourite to win the ICC World Cup 2019. Gavaskar also stated that the English team have become a formidable One Day International (ODI) side since the 2015 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the league stage.
“The strong favourites in the World Cup tournament are England. And it is not because of the fact that it will be a home World Cup for them. But because they have changed their attitude towards ODI cricket. They had lost in the league stage in 2015 World Cup, probably against Bangladesh. But since then, the manner in which they changed their game, the way in which they picked their team, England have grown into a strong side. They have a good opening pair, they have strong middle-order batters, they also have good all-rounders and when you play at home you also have a strong backing,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying to India Today.
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However, Gavaskar also insisted that Team India have the advantage of having played in English condition in the last two years — 2017 and 2018. The former batting great also said that Virat Kohli and Co are the second most favourites to win the quadrennial event.
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“The advantage that India have is they have played in England for two consecutive years – 2017 and 2018. So, the players, who will be part of the World Cup squad, will be aware of the conditions and hence will be able to use their experience and probably India can use the factor to lift the World Cup. But I feel the most favourites are England and then come India,” Gavaskar said.
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