Top 5 favourites to win ICC World Cup 2019

2. India -

Pakistan v India - 2011 ICC World Cup Semi-Final

India are the team to beat. Hope and expectation is high once again. Last World Cup, nobody expected much of the Indian team yet the semifinals were a pleasant surprise. The loss in the Champions Trophy is still fresh in the minds of Indian cricket fans and the perfect way to forget that would be to lift the most prestigious trophy for the third time. To say, India are doing well in ODI cricket is an understatement, they've been outstanding. Beating South Africa 5-1 away was a statement, and they then narrowly lost to England in England. The Asia Cup was a major success but the conditions are completely different compared to England. They are the current number one team with the number one batsman.

Virat Kohli in any team makes that team a contender, add to that Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and a good bowling attack and the team becomes a force. Dhawan loves tournament cricket and has been phenomenal int he last two Champions Trophy's that have been played there and will be looking to add more runs. The major concern for the Indian team is the middle order. Should the top 3 fail, India cannot depend on their middle order. Questions have also been raised over the performance of MS Dhoni who is ready for one last swan song.

Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya have to be groomed for their roles in the middle order in order for India to find a balance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be India's most important bowler in these conditions where the swing will play a role. India have to be ready from the start as they start their campaign against South Africa followed by games against New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan, all tough games. This is India's big chance to reclaim the trophy and Virat Kohli's big chance to stamp his name on a tournament like Sachin did in 2003. He will be hoping he goes one step further than Sachin did in 2003 and bring smiles on the faces of 1.4 billion Indians.