England favourites to win 2019 World Cup
India have begun their tour of Ireland and England splendidly. The Ireland leg of the tour is just the kind of lung opener that a team needs. The cricket would be competitive but not necessarily demanding and the team can ease into the tour in a nice relaxed unpressured manner. The decision to give every player an outing was also a good one for what you want on a long tour is for everybody to be match ready and raring to go. Of course winning and by the comfortable margin they did the first game does allow for some experimentation. It may not quite be the same against England who are in red hot form and playing excellent cricket.
Their 5-0 win over old rivals Australia was magnificent. The strength of their team was seen in the final game where they won with one wicket to spare. Their last two wickets took them home when they needed another 90 odd runs to win.
Last year, Pakistan surprised and ambushed both England and India in the ICC champions trophy and unless another such accident happens, England should win the ICC world cup next year looking at the way they have been playing limited over cricket over the last couple of years. Recent history is also on their side for the last two World Cups were won by those hosting the world cup. India won in 2011 and Australia, the hosts for the 2015 edition won the cup once more.
India have been in great form in the T20, so their contests against England should be terrific but more eyes will be on how India does in the three limited overs internationals that follow the three T20s. This will give an indication of what to expect next year in England.
SUNIL GAVASKAR Quite fierce
Of course, it all depends on the weather and pitches that are likely on offer not just this year but also next year. At the moment, England is going through a glorious summer with the sun being quite fierce and with there being less pollution here the rays of the sun can burn the skin. However, as far as cricket is concerned it will be like home conditions for the Indians. It usually feels like a home game anyway as there is a huge contingent of India supporters at every venue dressed not just in the India blues but in all kinds of colourful wear.
They bring a festive atmosphere to every ground and light it up with their presence. It will be interesting to see how the Indian supporters dress up on the Saturdays of the Test matches — which over the last few years has become a fancy dress day and we have seen some real fancy dressing on those Saturdays from England fans.
The Indian fans won’t be any less though and today it’s an open secret that if you want to be seen on TV then paint your upper torso with the Indian tricolor and put the name of Virat Kohli, M.S. Dhoni or any of the other players and if that player is hitting the big ones then you will be shown on television screaming. Not only that, when you walk into the ground, there will be others who will want to take a selfie with you and make you feel like a star like those out in the middle.
Cricket watching has certainly changed over the years from the genteel three or four claps in appreciation of good cricket to the boisterous noisy demanding one today. Just like hardly anybody takes a catch today without falling down on the ground, crowds no longer keep their emotions in check like in earlier times.
Cricket is not just a game today but it’s entertainment too and I just love it.