England cricketer Stuart Broad has pegged India as the top contenders in the upcoming World Cup. Despite both teams entering the tournament on a high - with India clinching the Asia Cup and the ODI series against Australia, and England triumphing over New Zealand in their recent ODI series - Broad believes India holds an edge.
Backing his perspective, Broad highlighted the recent trend of host nations lifting the World Cup trophy, making India even stronger favourites this year. In his column for the Daily Mail, Broad candidly admitted that defending the title would be an uphill task for England.
Broad underscored India's potential, suggesting that a flawless campaign from the team could make them nearly unbeatable.
"If England manage to retain their World Cup title, it will be a phenomenal effort but my overriding feeling is that if India play their perfect tournament, they are going to be very difficult to stop," Broad said.
"Jos Buttler certainly has the team to challenge, one with the ability to post high totals, but I just think India, as hosts and the top-ranked ODI side, will be a hugely difficult proposition to get past.
"Recent history shows you that home teams tend to prosper in 50-over World Cups: it was in India in 2011, and India won; the final was in Australia in 2015, Australia won the trophy; England won in 2019. So, on that basis alone, India would have to be huge favourites.
"Then take into account that they're playing pretty decent cricket, and their key fast bowling star Jasprit Bumrah is coming back to full fitness," he added.
However, a significant challenge for England, Broad mentions, is their demanding tournament itinerary. Playing their nine round-robin matches across eight different venues could take a toll on the team's performance. The former fast bowler concluded, emphasizing the magnitude of disappointment England would feel if they missed out on the semi-finals and finals.
"Contrast to England. Without sounding like I am giving them excuses, they have got a pretty tough draw, to be honest. They do not play two games in the same location, instead travelling from city to city," Broad continued.
"Others have the luxury of being able to book in somewhere for a week and play two games. They do not. But the fact every team plays everyone else in the round-robin stage means England would be absolutely distraught not to make the semis and final," he added.
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