Cricket's Biggest Event Kicks Off as a Generation Faces Off

Despite the rise of T20 Cricket and reduced number of ODIs the ODI World Cup remains the pinnacle and carries the same hype as it always had. The reception Pakistan received highlighted a special occasion with rare moments occurring.

For starters, this tournament is one with very little guessing about who is favorite. Ever since Australia started to make a joke out of World Cup Cricket in 1999 each edition started with a side or a couple of teams looking very good and above the rest.

Injuries, Indian Conditions and improved skill has balanced out the tournament a touch. Australia are coming into the tournament after losing their last five ODIs. Going by their nature in World Cups though, Australia could look a lot different in Chennai with their World Cup mode as they look to take on the Indian spinners in their first game.

England, a team that walked into 2019 as favorites after redefining the way ODI Cricket should be played could still hold the tag. The tag though may not be as significant with the same group older than they were in 2015, when they came together. New Zealand, a side that showed quality bowling and situational batting still has a place far from being considered favorites as usual.

With Williamson, Southee, and Santner having injury concerns New Zealand are likely to start the tournament without too many discussions around their fortunes. The situation was similar in 2015 and 2019 with New Zealand gaining attention as the tournament went on to make the Finals in both editions.

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India, another potential favorite is likely to feel a lot more confident playing in home conditions. However, the top-orders record against spin and left-arm bowling is a concern. Their middle-order is certainly stronger than last time but the top-order still carries an air of inconsistency which has been a major factor in their trophy drought over the last decade.

Pakistan, with a young side was not in the discussions much last time. They still did a great job and an early win against England put them in the spotlight. Pakistan came close in most games and missed out on a Semi-Final spot by some fine margins. They come into this edition without Naseem Shah. The pace attack though still carries a lot of fire.

Potentially, Pakistan could have the best pace attack in the tournament. Despite not playing much in India recently, the conditions could still favor them as they come in as strong contenders for a top-four spot.

South Africa doesn’t have too many expectations on them but has a talented side with players falling short of superstar status. In Ngidi and Rabada they have two strong pacers. With the bat Quinton De Kock and David Miller are the two superstars while Markarm, Van Der Dussen, and Temba Bavuma have the numbers in ODIs. Not sure shot contenders, but South Africa sure looks like a side to watch closely.

The Asian trio of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan fall behind a little. With their spin attacks and familiarity, they could still be a handful but come in on the backfoot. Sri Lanka is missing some key members like Wanindu Hasaranga which is a major concern. They have still done well to punch above their weight of late. In the recently concluded Asia Cup, they managed to get to the Finals despite missing their five main bowling options.

Bangladesh comes in with some controversy around. Their slow bowlers are pretty talented though as is the case with Afghanistan. The trio, despite not looking like favorites could pose a challenge to some of the other teams.

However, with the others having their own strengths and flaws, picking one side over the other is a challenge. For now though all that is left is to enjoy the coming 45 days as we find out who comes out on top.