Graeme Smith rates India as favourites for ICC World Cup 2011
South African captain, Graeme Smith, has rated India as the hot favourites for the ICC World Cup 201, considering the sub-continental conditions.
The all important event is going to commence from 19th February 2011 with a fixture between the two hosts, India and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Dhaka.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 has won the last three World Cups on the trot and this is the first time in last couple of decades that the Aussies are not rated as a favourite to win the ICC event.
Graeme Smith thinks that all the home teams would definitely have an edge because they would be able to understand the conditions better than the visitors.
He said, "I think the home teams will be right up there when it comes to the World Cup. I think in the sub-continent conditions they'll be very crafty knowing how to read conditions while other teams need to find ways to be successful there".
The opening ceremony of the ICC World Cup 2011 will be held on February 17 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, which was previously the main cricket stadium in Dhaka before Sher-e-Bangla took its place.
The South African captain understands that his team would have to be a little versatile and flexible if they have any chances in the mega event. This is the reason why http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 has boosted their spin bowling department for the World Cup, which includes
an uncapped right arm leg spinner in shape of, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir, who recently got South African citizenship.
He expressed that there are five to six teams, who have the potential to win the mega event but rated India at the top of the list.
"I think for us we need to versatile, I think India will come in as favourites, but personally I think there are five or six teams that could win this World Cup which is probably going to make it a very exciting one", the South African captain added.
Smith was not hesitant to rate India as the top team even though the Proteas defeated http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 3-2 in the recently concluded ODI series between the two countries.
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