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BSP-06
CRICKET-WC-2019-IND-HARBHAJAN-KAPILDEV
India deserve co-favourite billing at World Cup, says Harbhajan
LONDON, May 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh
insists his country deserve to be ranked alongside hosts England as joint
favourites to win the World Cup.
England are currently the world’s top-ranked one-day international side and
are rated as the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy.
Chasing their first World Cup crown, England have emerged as a formidable
force, while defending champions Australia are also highly regarded after
winning four of the last five editions.
But India, second in the ICC one-day rankings, are the only team to have
broken Australia’s dominance over the last 20 years when Harbhajan and
company took the silverware on home soil in 2011.
Harbhajan, who last played for India in 2016, has featured in three 50-over
World Cups and two finals.
And the 38-year-old off-spinner is certain India’s current crop have enough
quality to match England and Australia.
Asked who he sees as favourites, Harbhajan told reporters: “India, India
and England I think.”
Expectations are high in India that their team can bring home a third world
title, emulating the famous first success in the tournament in England in
1983.
Harbhajan, who has taken 417 Test wickets and 269 in ODIs, acknowledges
that intense desire for success from the Indian public will bring its own
pressures for Virat Kohli’s squad.
“It’s changing. It’s a lot better than it was. Still pressure will be
there. Not just on Virat Kohli but the whole team,” he said ahead of the
tournament, which starts on May 30.
Kapil Dev remains the iconic figure from India’s maiden World Cup victory
in England 36 years ago after captaining the side throughout their unexpected
run.
That fairytale campaign was capped with a stunning final victory over two-
time champions West Indies at Lord’s and Kapil was back at the spiritual home
of cricket on Thursday as part of the prestigious ‘Indian Cricket Heroes’
event.
– Seismic shift –
It was a triumph that inspired a generation of Indians to take up cricket
and laid the foundations for their current status as one of the sport’s
superpowers.
All-rounder Kapil, known as the “Haryana Hurricane” during his playing
days, modestly played down his role as a catalyst for a sporting revolution.
“We just the played the game. It was nice. I don’t know if it changed the
game or not,” Kapil said when asked how aware he was of the seismic shift
triggered by that victory.
“Lord’s is always very special. For everybody, not just me.”
India open their campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton and
the 60-year-old is adamant his compatriots shouldn’t feel under pressure to
win.
“There’s no pressure, it’s a pleasure. It’s a different way of thinking.
Pressure means you are not enjoying it,” he said.
“I enjoy playing so I never had pressure. Everywhere in every match you
have responsibility.
“It’s a pleasure, you enjoy and have fun. That’s more important.
“They just have to play good cricket. The rest leave to the almighty.”
Like Harbhajan, Kapil sees India as one of the main World Cup contenders
thanks to their strength in depth.
“Three or four teams have chance. It’s a stroke of luck required at the
right time,” he said.
“You don’t win a tournament unless everybody collectively plays well.
“If you are relying on one player then you aren’t playing to win the
tournament. It depends on the team, not one player.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0833 hrs