NEW DELHI, May 22: With a bunch of match-winners coupled with Mahendra Singh Dhoni�s expertise make India favourites to lift the upcoming ICC Men�s Cricket World Cup, believes Mithali Raj, captain of national women�s ODI team.
�The Indian team has a lot of match-winners now,� Mithali said in a video posted on Twitter.
�Of course, the captain (Virat Kohli) leads from the front with the openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, but we also have fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and the spinners,� she said.
�But overall I think, the team which posts a big total and the bowlers who are able to do the job to contain those runs, is the team which is going to win. But then we do have a lot of depth. We have the expertise of Dhoni in the side. So, I can�t pick one player, but India definitely has a lot of match-winners.�
In the video, Mithali can be seen sharing her views on the World Cup with Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner posted in Hyderabad.
�All the teams, all the main players are in good form with the IPL just wrapping up recently. Everyone is now looking forward to the World Cup,� she said.
Asked which team has a better chance to lift the trophy, Mithali said, �India is absolutely going in as favourites because they have been doing very well in the one-dayers and in other formats in the recent past.�
Mithali, however, also picked hosts England as another team who can go on to clinch their maiden 50-over World Cup title.
�But I cannot rule out the home team (England). Even they have done very well. They had some 10 to 15 victory streaks in the one-dayers. They will also play on home conditions. Having said that, I think as an Indian I will root for India,� she said.
India will gear up for the World Cup with warm-up matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh on May 25 and 28 respectively.
Virat Kohli and Co. will open their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5 at Southampton. � PTI
