Former Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming feels Indian team is favourite to win the 2019 Cricket world cup in England. The 45-year-old from Christchurch feels that Indian team management should emphasis on keeping the player fresh, sharp and making sure that team’s bench strength is tried and tested.
“They look like a strong side and might also be the favourites but it’s a hot English summer next year and it would really be injuries to Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) or (Jasprit) Bumrah that you need to be concerned about. So you need to develop the pace better and replacement players just in case. It will be summer in England and you might need some seam bowling.”
Fleming feels that India’s tour to Australia and New Zealand before the all important world cup will be beneficial for the men in blue. He said that the conditions down south will test the Indian cricketers that will provide them with good experience.
“I think you will have Virat Kohli back with the openers, MS Dhoni will rise for the big occasion. Kedar Jadhav and Dinesh Karthik are also there, so you have plenty of resources,” Fleming concluded.
India last won the world cup in 2011 under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and went onto play the semi-final of 2015 world cup where they lost to eventual winners and host Australia.
