Published 11:17 IST, June 30th 2019
West Indies great Clive Lloyd makes big prediction about India at the World Cup, but with a caveat and advice to opponents
Lloyd, who led West Indies to two World Cup triumphs, in 1975 and 1979, said he had been disappointed by the current team's(West Indies) campaign.
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West Indies great Clive Lloyd feels a "very well-balanced" India have emerged as the team to beat in the ongoing ICC World Cup. Virat Kohli's side is unbeaten after its first six matches of the round-robin competition and needs just a win from their remaining three games to guarantee a place in the semi-finals.
"I have been impressed by India -- I think the winner of the whole thing is going to be one of them or Australia," Lloyd said in a column for the ICC."Any team that wants to lift the trophy will have to beat India -- they are unbeaten so far and look a very well-balanced side", he added.
India thrashed West Indies by 125 runs on Thursday to end the Caribbean side's hopes of qualifying from the 10-team group stage.
The former skipper lavished rich praise on India's bowling attack.
"Jasprit Bumrah is a fantastic discovery but behind him guys like Mohammed Shami and the wrist spinners have been really impressive," he said. What I like about their attack, as opposed to many in this tournament, is that they bowl to take wickets", he said.
The 74-year-old though added India can be beaten if the opposition can get through their middle-order.
"Make early inroads into their batting line-up -- where they only have five specialist batsmen -- and you have a chance," he said. "Of course, a lot of that depends on getting rid of Virat Kohli, the best batsman in the tournament", he added.
Defending champions Australia were the first to book a final-four spot and will be battling for the top position with India and New Zealand as the league phase draws to a close.
Lloyd, who led West Indies to two World Cup triumphs, in 1975 and 1979, said he had been disappointed by the current team's(West Indies) campaign.
10:22 IST, June 30th 2019