Trivandrum (Kerala): Rahul Dravid has high hopes for India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, expecting the Men in Blue to hit peak form as they go one of the favourites into the tournament, beginning on May 30 in England and Wales.
“I think India are playing very good cricket at the moment and go in as one of the favourites. Hopefully, we will peak in the next few months,” the former Indian captain told reporters on Thursday on the sidelines of India A’s series against England Lions.
India look in prime health, having secured series wins against South Africa, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand, and clinched the Asia Cup last year.
“Wickets will be very flat in England and I expect it to be quite a high-scoring World Cup. When we (India A) were in England with A team, 300 was regularly scored,” said Dravid, who is the head coach of India A and India Under 19.
Last time the World Cup was held in England in 1999, Dravid was the top-scorer with 461 runs. The former captain stressed that the forthcoming tournament will be different from that in 1999, primarily because of batting-friendly wickets in England.
“A lot more runs will be scored compared to the 1999 World Cup, where we used the Dukes white ball.
The white Kookaburra with two new balls, revised field restrictions (three Powerplays as opposed to mandatory 15-over restrictions in 1999) are different, so you cannot compare the two World Cups,” he added.
The much-awaited ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 is scheduled from May 30 to July 14.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]