Published 10:22 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.
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.
Updated 11:17 IST, June 30th 2019