NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – India will be the overwhelming favourites to win next year’s World Cup with home advantage and an ideal build-up on tour in South Africa, Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan said.
“India is easily the favourite team, going by their form and depth both in bowling and batting,” the former Pakistani all-rounder told reporters yesterday after the broadcasting arrangements for the 2011 tournament were announced.
“I think the South Africa tour will do them good. The tougher is the tour, the better prepared you are for the World Cup.”
India will contest three test matches in South Africa starting on Dec. 16 followed by a Twenty20 and five one-dayers before heading home to prepare for tournament starting on Feb. 19 hosted by themselves, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
India are ranked number one test team by the ICC (International Cricket Council) and the number two one-day international (ODI) side behind holders Australia.
“India is the favourite team and Sri Lanka is a close second. They will also have home advantage, which matters a lot,” Imran added.
Australia beat Sri Lanka in the final to clinch the last World Cup in the Caribbean and 1996 winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga said his compatriots should again do well.
“Sri Lanka is one of the favourites. They have built a good team but my only worry is their middle order,” said the portly Sri Lankan, whose astute captaincy fashioned the team’s stunning 1996 World Cup victory over the Australians.
“In 1996, we had a strong middle order. But of course this team has better bowlers and both (Muttiah) Muralitharan and (Lasith) Malinga are match-winning bowlers,” he added.
