 |
| Cricket Australian Dynamic Opener David Warner. |
Kumar Sangakkara Champions Trophy predictions Australia , England , South Africa, India.
Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara doesn't anticipate that his nation of origin will achieve the knockout phases of the Champions Trophy and trusts India have a superior squad than that which won the competition in 2013. In front of Thursday's opener amongst England and Bangladesh at The Oval, Sangakkara anticipated India, England, Australia and South Africa to possess the four semi-last positions. Safeguarding champions India whipped Bangladesh by 240 keeps running on Tuesday night and the 2011 World Cup victors again look very much put to be a genuine constrain under Virat Kohli.Sangakkara's acclaim for India's pace assault is obvious; Kohli has a humiliation of wealth to browse in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav, with allrounder Hardik Pandya a modest bunch in his own particular right. That gathering, consolidated with spinners Jadeja and Ashwin, shape a lovely baffle for the nation's selectors, while Kohli will be competently bolstered by Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni in an accomplished batting gathering.
"Australia is one of the strongest contenders," he wrote. "(They) have been playing some great ODI cricket of late and it is probably the best-balanced team in the competition.
"Its batsmen are also in-form and its bowling attack is potent."
The Sri Lankan said the dynamic batting duo of AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock would be pivotal in South Africa's hopes of reaching the semi-finals – which he expects them to do – however he did point out two factors that go against the Proteas: the absence through injury of pace great Dale Steyn, and their traditional failure to hit their straps at major tournaments.