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Shane Warne was instrumental in Australia’s success at the 1999 World Cup in England. The legendary spinner picked up four wickets for 33 in the final at Lord’s against Pakistan to be adjudged the Player of the Match. In that tournament, Warne picked up 20 wickets to finish as the joint highest wicket-taker.
The tournament returns to England after 20 years and the Australian side this time around is far from their predecessors who initiated Australia’s long domination in world cricket. Instead, it is the Indian side led by Virat Kohli and the English team who are being dubbed favourites by cricket experts and fans all around the world.
Speaking about the World Cup to The Quint, Shane Warne too held similar opinion, as far as India and England were concerned but he was bullish about Australia’s chances in England. Warne also explained what makes Team India a ferocious contender at the World Cup and why MS Dhoni will continue to play a crucial role in the team.
To many people’s surprise, instead of Sachin Tendulkar, Warne named someone else as Virat Kohli’s competition to become the greatest in one-day cricket.
With the World Cup less than two months away, which four teams will make it to the semi-finals in England?
I don’t know about the four semi-finalists because it is in June. End of May it starts. Someone could be injured so I am not going to pick your top four. What I can tell you is India and England go in as favourites. I think just from the cricket they have played in the last six to twelve months, they have been outstanding. So, I think India and Australia go down as favourites.
After a disastrous last year, the Australian side is finally peaking at the right time. What are their chances in England this time?
I think Australia, probably (is) the best team in any big event like the World Cup. They are best out of anyone and that has been proven. I think they have won five out of last six World Cups. They won it last time it was in England. We played in the final in 1996, we lost. Won 1999. Won 2003. Won 2007. Lost 2011. Won 2015. So, we have played in six finals out of seven and won four… five. So, in big tournaments they play well, and they are finally coming together. They believe now they could win. And I believe opposition teams are starting to fear Australia in the format.
Warner and Smith will be back in the squad for the World, most probably. By then it would be more than a year since they played their last international match. Will their inclusion be a boon or a bane for the side?
Smith and Warner have been the two best players in the world. Of course, they going to be fantastic when they come back. They will be hungry. They will be determined. They want to perform really well. They are playing the IPL. Class players, no matter how long they haven’t played, (they) will always come back and play well. They are the best in the world. I think it will actually help them to get a year off. They will feel better. Be fresh, raring to go and hungry. So look out, they are going to do really really well.
How do Virat Kohli and Co look as a unit ahead of the World Cup?
Very good side – India. That’s why I said. That’s why they are the favourites. They got variety in their attack. Bumrah is as good as any fast bowler, going around in world cricket. They got spin, seam. They got swing and some class batsmen. So, yeah India go in as favourites.
India, for a change, have a very strong bowling line-up for the World Cup. The duo of Kuldeep and Chahal have been India’s trump cards. How impactful will they be in the World Cup?
Kuldeep Yadav, Rashid Khan and Yasir Shah – they are the three leg spinners I enjoy watching. India is very lucky that they have Chahal and Yadav. Those two guys together as you said hunt in packs. They take wickets in the middle-overs. They bowl anywhere, especially Chahal can bowl upfront if you need him. So, to have that variation in your attack, that is what you need to win a World Cup. That is why for me, India go in as favourites.
It is widely believed that MS Dhoni played his last match in India and he might announce retirement after the World Cup. If you were to assess Dhoni’s career, how would you look at it?
To me, MS Dhoni has been a class act. He has been a terrific player for India, one of their all-time greats. He is a must for the World Cup. India need to have him in the World Cup if they have to win it. They need his experience. They need his class. They need his batting. But you also need his leadership skills to help Virat Kohli.
The way Virat Kohli is going, he might soon end up breaking all ODI records. Do you believe he is well on his way to become the greatest batsman to have graced ODI cricket?
Virat Kohli to me, in One-Day cricket, I think he is challenging Viv Richards to be the greatest One-Day player ever. I think Virat Kohli has 24-25 hundreds chasing a big total. Twenty-three hundreds chasing! That is unbelievable. And Viv Richards is next best with eight or nine. That shows how big a gap it is. Just phenomenal. To me, I am tossing up between who is the greatest One-Day batsman of all-time. Viv Richards or Virat Kohli? I am still not sure. I am going to keep thinking about it and come back to you but Virat is unbelievable. I love watching him play.
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