The World Cup 2019

Going back to the delightful masterclass that it was on that eve in Wankhede eight years ago, it seems it was just yesterday when the Indian team lifted the Master blaster on their shoulders for their victory walk - the victory that United more than a billion Indians in that day. It seems just yesterday when the superhero from Ranchi or Mahi as we fondly call him here wielded his willow like the fairytale leader who helps and guides his team when his team needs him the most! All this seemed like yesterday till now but then the present counts the most. Here we are again on the cusp of the most exciting and touted to be the most competitive cricket world cup since the 1996 cup held jointly by Sri Lanka and India.The million dollar question is who is the best? Will the home ground make it- "advantage England" or will it just be the top 4-5 most IN form teams fighting against each other? So let's get down to the home ground factor. If we go by stats and figures, history hasn't been very kind to the homies. Though India did win it in 2011 held in the subcontinent, it was 3 world cups and 15 years after it was last won by the home team Sri Lanka when it was jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Yes, Australia won it in 2015 again which was held jointly by New Zealand and Australia. But beyond a point, even though there is a popular opinion that every team is a tiger at its home, I disagree on home factor being the most important and would bet my cards on the most balanced team with players full of appetite and temperament to win big tournaments like these. On that note, my top 4 teams would be Australia, England, India and NewZealand. And I would keep West Indies as the dark horses of the tournament because throughout the world cup history, we have seen some surprises and this West Indies side is more than capable of troubling the best in the business.England, no doubt would be benefited by the home factor with their people cheering for them, their players knowing those grounds like their backyards and their groundsmen ensuring their players are at some advantage while playing their games, I don't think it would be that huge a factor it is made out to be.

W ith Indian fans around the world (they are absolutely never short of fandom, they are easily the most popular cricketers in the world as nowhere is cricket such rage), with great level of cricket tournaments in India of the likes of the IPL which is also one of the reasons why home advantage is nullified and with the best batsman (Kohli), best bowler (Bumrah), best fielder (Jadeja) and the best *unofficial* captain (oh we all know who does Kohli call out for help every now and then on the field,need I take his name ?), my favorite team this summer would be Team India. Go get it Men In Blue! #ChakDeIndia