1
NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan feels India is the favorite to win the upcoming World Cup.
“This could be the most even, unpredictable World Cup ever. There are six teams who can beat anyone on a given day. Having said that, India stand the best chance,” Khan was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“You have all-around strength in batting and bowling. The batting lineup, in fact, is great. The team is in good form and it will play in home conditions,” he said during a World Cup promotional function in Mumbai.
India plays five of its six group games at home in the 14-nation tournament which begins on Feb. 19.
India's batting lineup includes Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan. Tendulkar, Sehwag, Singh and Pathan all chip in with spin bowling too, while captain Dhoni is a wicketkeeper-batsman.
Khan felt the Indian attack was not dependent on slow bowling as was being made out by some.
“No, I don't think there are too many tweakers in this squad. In test cricket, you can't get away with this, but in one-day cricket you can do with bowling allrounders.
“Ideally, you need one express pace bowler but India can do without it also. Zaheer Khan, I feel, is at the peak of his game right now. He has experience and ability.”
India will co-host the tournament with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
