The batting legend of the cricketing world Sachin Tendulkar named India, Australia and England as most likely three teams to reach semi-finals of the 2019World Cup though he was confused between Pakistan and New Zealand for the fourth slot.
The 50-over ICC Men’s World Cup 2019 will commence from 30th May in England. Unlike the past few times, this year, there will be ten teams challenging each other in the World Cup. England has been tagged as favourites for the tournament with Australia and India as the best challengers.
Australia are the reigning champions:
After the return of Steven Smith and David Warner, Australia has re-emerged as the fiercest competitor in the tournament. The five-times world champions strong emergence, on papers, has overshadowed Sri Lanka and South Africa.
England’s strong batting order with India’s amalgamation of wisdom and youth had led them to the centre of the stage. And if the batting legend of the cricket picks the very three names, it makes things even more interesting.
Sachin Tendulkar strongly believes India, Australia and England will be the three to make it to the semi-finals.
“The bigger the occasion, the more they rise to it,” says Tendulkar about Australia, and that he puts it first and foremost to skill and nothing else. “At this level, with the confidence and talent that they arrive at each big tournament, it’s only because of the array of talent that they arrive at each big tournament, it’s only because of the array of talent they possess and the skills that individuals bring to the table,” he says.
The cricket maestro refers to Steven Smith and David Warner, especially him, as a huge to boost the Kangaroos.
He says, “He’s a huge asset, and he’s looking very dangerous at the moment.”
As this World Cup is already being predicted to be as batsmen friendly, Tendulkar feels England has been in good shape, lately. “The batting order looks in ominous form. England are going to be very strong contenders,” says the World Cup-winning batsman.
Tendulkar believes that the introduction of early summer in England and the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ‘two new balls’ rule could prove to take the score past the four-figures.
Whereas, the sprouting of T20 leagues has changed the mindset of a batsman.
“The reverse swing has gone missing after the two new balls rule came in. The ball doesn’t go through enough wear and tear to bring that aspect into the game. That’s one area( where bowlers have lost out),” reasoned Tendulkar.
“Batsmen have constantly redefined(limits). The task of clearing boundaries has gained impetus,” he added.
Meanwhile, the master blaster predicted the summer of England to add to the batting spectacle to be seen during the World Cup.
“The weather will certainly have a very crucial role to play. Dry, sunny conditions are going to assist batsmen. The wickets have plenty to offer to batsmen as we saw in this recent England-Pakistan series. Think about it, more than 700 runs being scored in what, 95 overs?(England chased with five overs to spare). That is something to take into account,” says Tendulkar.
Young and Talented India Right Beside Australia and England in the Competition
In Tendulkar’s opinion, India will be marching right beside England and Australia to reach the finals. He says, “they’re a young and talented bunch that has played some excellent cricket over the last two years.”
Adding to this, he says India has the perfect blend of experience and talented youth mixed this time.
“MS(Dhoni) is back in the right touch,” comments Tendulkar. The come back of the former World Cup-winning captain means a lot for the team.
“Some time back, he did go through his share of struggle but…” he trails off speculating the now good form of the wicketkeeper-batsman.
However, it is the fourth spot that Tendulkar is not yet confident about.
New Zealand, for the constant danger they bring along, and Pakistan for being unpredictable with a strong bowling attack, are his split choices.
The 46-year-old veteran cricketer has, also, spoken over team India’s high hopes for skipper Virat Kohli. He feels the team is laced with dreadful all-rounders, which should release pressure from Kohli.
“This is as much about Virat as any other team member. I don’t think there needs to be so much focus only on one individual,” says Tendulkar.
Talking about the pressure, Tendulkar having played cricket for so long never felt any burden to score in a match.
“That’s how the outsider saw it, maybe. For us, as a team, it was every individual contributing. That was the case then, and that is how it will be now. A few individuals will always be stepping up but in the end, it’s about the team. Without the support of the entire team, nothing much can be achieved,” he explained.
With talented wrist spinners-pacers, thrashing openers, world’s best batsman at No.3 and the wisdom of MS Dhoni, Tendulkar claims India as the fiercest competitor in the World Cup.