2015 Cricket World Cup Heading Towards which Country (My analysis about the teams taking part in WC 2015)

The Biggest event of Cricket i.e. World Cup is not too far away now (starting on 14^th Feb`15). Cricket World Cup 2015 is 11^th Edition and this time it is jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. India is ready to defend most prestigious prize in the world of Cricket, and they are to be challenged by distinguished teams worldwide. Event will kick start with New Zealand facing Sri Lanka on 13^th Feb. Hence, I am analyzing who has a superior chance of winning it (by their recent form, statistics etc).

As India is the defending Champion, let us contemplate about their chance of lifting the cup yet again. They had a poor run in Test Cricket in past (Lost all test series overseas). If we think of very recent statistics, India lost 3-1 against England and 2-0 against Australia. But as Indian team changes their wardrobe to colorful clothes they seems altogether a different unit (recent record shows, they dominantly beat England, West Indies and Sri Lanka in ODI series). Hence what I feel India has a good Chance of retaining the title because of the likes of inform Batsmen Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma etc and ODI specialist and Indian Skipper MS Dhoni (considered as best finisher in ODI cricket). Hence, batting unit is sorted; only concern is bowling which has been second-rated every time (especially in test Cricket). But when it comes to shorter format of the Game, India has a pretty decent record (spin department with the likes of Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar and pacers like Bhuvi and Ishant) and since ODI format is slightly easier as compared to Test Cricket, we can hope that bowlers will do well. Hence out of 100 India will get an 18 (the most rating) for retaining the World Cup because of their recent record since 2011 in ODI cricket.

Next up in Line are Australia and New Zealand. Australians are exquisite on their home grounds; they want to desperately win this tournament to give a special tribute to Late Phillip Hughes. Hence, they have an emotional factor which will be a huge boost for their team. There form is also considerably good (recently defeated India in tests but also were dominantly beaten by Pakistan) and likes of David Warner and SPD Smith are in dazzling touch. And with the addition of George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell; batting unit looks strongest on paper. And their bowling equally matches their batting with the like of Mitchell Johnson, Starc, and Cummins etc. Will Michael Clarke and Company rewrites Australian name in the history of World Cup yet again (after victory in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007). Another host nation i.e. New Zealand is in sensational form with the likes of Brendon Mccullum who is scoring runs on will (3 centuries recently in Tests and ODIs) and with the likes of Williamson (who is Player of the year), Guptill, Ross Taylor and Cory Anderson seems batting unit  sublime touch. And Bowling also is pretty decent with likes of Trent Boult who is among the leading wicket takers in tests in 2014 and Tim Southee in company and last but not the least Daniel Vettori (playing his last World Cup). Will New Zealanders bids adieu to Vettori with a World Cup. Definitely they have an ample of Chance. Hence Australia gets a 15 and New Zealand get a 14.

Next up is South Africa; I considered Proteas the favorite every time going into any world cup. This time also they have a formidable team with the likes of Amla (ODI Genius), De Villiers (Best Finisher), Du Plessis and Duminy etc. in batting and Morkel, Philander and Dale Steyn (best bowler in the world) in bowling. They have a great recent record as well going into the competition (they defeated Sri Lanka, Australia and Zimbabwe in a tri series, New Zealand). But what comes between South Africa and the World cup is the Luck. They are famous by their nickname Chokers in the World Cup. Since their entry in this tournament they are facing terrible consquences like a D/L method in 1992 and 2003, Famous run out in 1999 WC or 2011 batting collapse in quarters. Even if they had a great bunch of players, they were unable to make it into a single final of this league. But it’s a new start, fresh start; certainly team will look beyond their performances from past world cups and will go into the competition with a positive mindset. I hope to see this team into the finals of this edition of World Cup (because they deserve it). Hence Proteas will get a 15.

Next up is two Asian giants and previous world cup winners Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Both have equal chance yet not firm because of their inconsistency in recent past. There is no doubt about the capability of teams; both teams are good enough to go for the League. Consider Sri Lanka (Asian Champion 2014) who has heavy weights like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, T.Dilshan (All 3 are going to retire after world cup) but they have highly inconsistent form in past. Sometimes they play well; sometimes there will be a batting collapse. In addition to the captain Angelo Matthews (who is in majestic touch) will make a best batting line up in tournament but recent record is very poor (lost 5-0 to India, lost to New Zealand 2-0 in test series and lost to South Africa). Bowling lineup is weakness barring magical Slinga Malinga. Will they make the slight improvement from their World Cup performance of 2007 and 2011 (they were runner ups in these tournaments) and lift the cup after glorious 1996 World Cup. They will certainly want to win it and give a farewell to the trio.  About Pakistan (1992 Champs); this is the most inconsistent team in last 4 years (Lost to New Zealand 3-2, win against Australia 2-0 in test, lost to Sri Lanka etc). Batting and bowling looks good for Pakistan, batting veterans like Shahid Afridi is playing his last tournament, Misbah-ul-haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez etc. and bowling also looks good with the likes of M.Irfan, Junaid Khan etc. But both teams will need efforts to book a final slot in biggest event of Cricket. Both teams will get a 10.

Next two teams are ultimate underdogs, dark horses i.e. England and West Indies. West Indies are undergoing some issues with their Cricket Board (Left Indian tour in midway), (Bravo and Pollard are not included in WC squad). Still they have a balanced team with Gayle at the top to the J.Taylor at the bottom but they are not the convincing team to win this tournament. They might be best team in shortest format of the game (T20) but they will have to work hard to book at least a semi final place spot in WC 2015; Inconsistent performance keeping in mind will give this team a 5. But England can see off the tournament with the world cup win because of their team; they are the ultimate underdogs. Again some issues with board (Cook sacked), still a good team to go into a major tournament. Starting with Captain Morgan, Bell, Moeen Ali (all are in good form) and bowlers like Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson does not need any introduction. England never won a tournament but was runner ups in 3 editions. Even if their previous record is not impressive (Lost to Sri Lanka, Lost to India in recent ODI series); they will at least look at semi final spot if not the Final. Rating will be 8.

Next two teams i.e. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will palpably have desires to win the Cup for their nation. But it is highly uncertain. Still they can be dream breakers for the other teams as Bangladesh did it in 2007 defeating India and South Africa and England in 2011. Constituting good players like best all rounder in the world Sakib, Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Rehman and bowlers like Arafat Sunny and Mashrafe Mortaza can turn around. If they go further in Quarter final spot, it will be dream coming true for them and their supporters and as we all know Cricket is a funny game (anything can happen) (Recently Zimbabwe beat Australia in an ODI). Rating will be 2.5. Zimbabwe will get a 1.

Next are the associate teams; out of the bunch, Ireland can do damage to the other teams as they did in 2007 and 2011 defeating Pakistan and England respectively. O`brien brothers and Porterfield can be a wild card players (Kevin O` Brien have fastest century record in World Cup) Let`s hope they will do well this tournament. I will rate 1 for Ireland. And Afghanistan, UAE, Scotland will get an opportunity to play against best teams in the world, let’s hope they will do well.

FINALLY, World Cup Carnival will be the a big event and let`s hope the best performing team wins the competition. Competition favorites are India, Australia and South Africa

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Team	World Cup Record	My ratings(TOTAL of 100)
India	Winners (1983,2011)	18
Australia	Winners (1987,1999,2003,2007)	15
South Africa	Semi Finals (1992,1999,2007)	15
New Zealand	Semi Finals (1975,1979,1992,1999,2007,2011)	14
Sri Lanka	Winners (1996)	10
Pakistan	Winners (1992)	10
England	Runner ups (1979,1987,1992)	8
West Indies	Winners (1975,1979)	5
Bangladesh	Super 8`s (2007)	2.5
Ireland	Super 8`s (2007)	1
Zimbabwe	Super 6`s (1999,2003)	1
Afghanistan	Debut	0.3
Scotland	Group Stage (1999,2007)	0.15
UAE	Group Stage (1996)	0.05
	TOTAL	100

 - GAURAV PUROHIT