Mumbai: Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Ricky Ponting are some of the names that come to the fore when the ICC World Cup is around the corner, and come this year’s championship, there could be a new name on the horizon.
And as India converge into the Summer of 2019, it is Virat Kohli and company who are hot favourites of this mega event which kicks off from May 30, at eleven venues in England and Wales. Former Indian opener Lalchand Rajput spoke to Free Press journal on Sunday on his view about India’s campaign in this 12 edition of the Championship.
“We have a very good side and the way things are going for the side we have all the reasons to feel proud and wish our side all the best,” said Rajput who is the coach of Zimbabwe cricket team which unfortunately has not made the cut among the team to make it to England for this championship.
“Yes, climate is one major factor which will come into play especially in this part of the globe, but if we apply ourselves we should win,” said the opener which has played two Test and four ODIs for the country. With the tag as favourites, things will be easier for the side, but at the same time one should not be carried away, he emphasized.
“Yes we are one of the best and It is not just me but the entire cricketing world is making noise about it, and I am sure with a man like Virat Kohli leading from the front they will keep up to their standard,” he added. Aggression is the other name of the game in present scenario and that is what our team is all about, and the best person to have that is none other than the skipper of the side.
“Virat is known for aggression and he will make sure that this will make a big difference. We have a good attack force with Bhumi, Bumrah and Shami and in the batting line up Shekhar Dhawan, Virat, and Rohit up the order and our batting can strike any attack.
The important is the Ex-Factors in the side with Hardik, Jadeja and Kedar and MSD has come up with his contribution so there are all reasons for Indians to have the feel Good Factor of our Team India to win the championship,” said Rajput who has coached the Afghanistan side.
Winning the opener against South Africa will play an important role as it will set our boys on the right path with a positive frame of mind and against Pakistan we will win the match,” is the confident note he says before signing off.