2015 Cricket World Cup: This could be the most open tournament in recent history

The 11th edition of Cricket World Cup is just seven days away and cricket fans across the globe will be eagerly waiting some action over the next month and a half.

While defending champions India would be keen to keep the title, it will be a huge challenge for them to keep on top of their game.

India did not have a good result in the Tri-Series against Australia and England, where they finished last and couldn’t win a single game. To make matters worse, many players in the current team are battling injuries and they don’t have a clear picture of what will be the best combination going into their first match against arch-rivals Pakistan.

There has been talk about how it would be very difficult for India to defend their title and many people have already favoured Australia and South Africa to be the clear favourites to win the tournament. But I am of the opinion that this is a very open World Cup and all major teams have equal chance to put their hands on the cup.

Although half the major teams like India, Sri Lanka, England and Pakistan haven’t been in good form leading into the tournament, the very first match each team plays will be very crucial to gain much needed momentum. These opening games will decide the tone and fate of the respective teams, and determine whether they are cut-out for the task or not.

Confidence is very important for each team coming into such a big event but playing in a World Cup is a different experience altogether. It puts more pressure on every player and captain to perform well, while being a defending champion and labeled as favourites puts extra pressure on teams.

That’s why the first game holds such importance for each team. Let’s take a look at the recent ODI performances of the major contenders.

Australia
Tagged as the favourites to win the tournament, Australia will enter the World Cup on the back of some fine performances in the recently concluded Tri-Series, which they won very comfortably.

Their batting line-up looks good with David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey along with bowlers like Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc providing good rhythm too. But, playing at home, tagged as favourites will have put pressure on them and they need to prove that they can handle such situations well and come out as winners.

India
They are defending champions, but under a lot of pressure due to lack of form. India have been unable to decide their best playing combination and injuries are also an unwanted dilemma heading into the World Cup.

India need to brush aside past performances, come together with fresh minds and play well as a unit. I have a strong feeling that once India gets the required momentum, they will be hard to stop. MS Dhoni uses his bowlers wisely to contain runs, but his batsmen need to put up fighting total to defend.

England
The most traditional and orthodox approach team in this World Cup, England were runner-up in the Tri-Series and need to start with confidence. They have a good combination of experienced and young players, but the most important thing they lack is a big hitter and attacking batsmen who can change the game.

South Africa
Equally labeled as favourites along with Australia, South Africa has a perfectly balanced combination but they will need to keep their calm under pressure and believe in their ability. They need to push out thoughts of their past history in choking.

South Africa have some of the best players in the world, with AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn in great form. But, as I said, they need to start afresh in their first match to gain the momentum that could make them unstoppable.

New Zealand
New Zealand are another team to have played some good cricket in the past year, and are dark horses coming into the World Cup. This would be the first time in a long time that cricket experts have placed their votes in favour of New Zealand. As hosts, they will have added pressure to perform well and continue their good form.

Pakistan
Pakistan is one team that can be very unpredictable. If they get their mind-set and combination right, then they may well be in the contention. Although, they will be without their best bowler Saeed Ajmal and their batsmen are not so threatening. It will take herculean effort from this team to remain afloat in the competition.

West Indies
A side plagued with numerous off-field controversies and without their best players, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies’ chances of making the quarter finals looks bleak. Their tournament will be defined by their opening match.

Sri-Lanka
Sri Lanks are the most consistent team over the last two World Cups, but they have fallen at the final hurdle both times. They have a good combination of experienced and young players to rely, which makes them a competitive team.

Summary
Having batsmen and bowlers in good form coming into the World Cup is a very good sign, but to use that form and capitalising on it under pressure situations will be key. So, it won’t matter if they are favourites, underdogs or dark horses, gaining momentum, playing well as a unit and keeping calm under pressure will make them the team to beat.

To represent your country in the World Cup is a very proud moment for each player and this brings out best of every competitor. I won’t be surprised if the under-fire Shikhar Dhawan scores a century against Pakistan, the West Indies rise above the odds or the inexperienced Pakistan bowlers perform well.

A very open World Cup is on our way and I hope to see good and thrilling cricket with less disappointments.