File photo: Team India.
© AP
The Cricket World Cup is less than one month away and many would fancy the defending champions led by MS Dhoni to lift the coveted trophy in Australia. In fact, India is the third favourite to lift the Cricket World Cup, according to bookies. But Deutsche Bank co-CEO Anshu Jain, a big cricket buff, told NDTV's Prannoy Roy that India's chances are "over-estimated".
Mr Jain spoke to Dr Roy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Here is the edited transcript:
Dr Roy: Who is going to win the World Cup?
Anshu Jain: The easy answer would be Australia because they have the home advantage and they seem a reasonably good side. The pressure of playing in front of their home crowd will be intense. Their batting looks a little suspect to me and their bowling is a bit young, but you have to have Australia on that list. On paper and potential, South Africa by a mile, if they did not have that "C" (choke) word hanging over them and their dismal World Cup record. The condition will suit them, they bat deep.
Dr Roy: This is something you have thought about very keenly.
Anshu Jain: Actually I haven't. I have been thinking about the ECB (European Central Bank) all day. My dark horse, though, is New Zealand. Watch them.
Dr Roy: You know what, Australia is the top of the bookies probability of winning, South Africa second, India third and New Zealand a close fourth.
Anshu Jain: So now comes the key question. I very rarely doubt the wisdom of the markets, but in this case, at this stage I would say India's chances are over-estimated by those bookies.
Dr Roy: And what should we do to change?
Anshu Jain: Not much you can do about the bowling because you have what you have. And I think you have the best bowlers you have, you just have to keep them practicing. Very important that Kumar (Bhuvaneshwar) picks up his pace again because he is key and Ishant (Sharma) comes back fit again. I would do some things with the batting line-up. I think Murali Vijay belongs in the team. I know you have declared the fifteen but I am bringing him back. He batted brilliantly and he has played well in T20s, so I would have him back. I would keep Dhawan (Shikhar) but would drop him down at five or six.
Dr Roy: He has got huge talent, but not right up the order?
Anshu Jain: And of course the team revolves around Kohli (Virat). The best batsman in the world perhaps in all forms and we really will count on him unhealthily.
Dr Roy: So are you going to go to the World Cup?
Anshu Jain: Sadly not. It is going to be a very busy time and I am going to be focused on bank affairs.
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