Former Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag on April 20 predicted that Virat Kohli-led Team India are frontrunners to lift the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held in England.
“We are favourites. Indian team under Virat Kohli has the potential to lift the 2019 World Cup,” Sehwag said during an event at the Fanatic Sports Museum in Kolkata.
Besides, Sehwag, who won two World Cups with India, the 2007 inaugural T20 World Cup and the 2011 50-over World Cup, also praised present lot of bowlers in Team India and said: “This lot is really good. They can deliver in any conditions.”
Sehwag is currently mentoring the Kings XI Punjab franchise in the ongoing Indian Premier League season 2018.
On being quizzed about Chris Gayle’s whirlwind knock who smashed 63-ball 104 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 19, Sehwag said: “There is no bigger entertainer than the effervescent 38-year-old who is T20 cricket’s most successful batsman.”
Sehwag further explained why he bought Gayle after he went unsold in the IPL auctions initially.
If you don’t Then you don’t
Love me at Deserve me at
my my pic.twitter.com/lGQFHyimR0— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 19 April 2018
“That was a strategy because we had to buy other players also. He would have cost more if he was taken up in the first phase.”
“Kohli dropped him also (from Royal Challengers Bangalore). I was expecting nobody will pick him, he’s of my age. If we pick him, he’s good guy to do the marketing. He’s fabulous with all the marketing guys, everyone loves Chris Gayle. He fits in our group also.
— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) 19 April 2018
“We bought him for Rs 2 crore and if he wins two games, I recovered my money. Still more games to go and if he wins two more time he wins four games. He’s a big asset for KXIP now,” Sehwag added.
Here’s to yet another Gaylestorm _ @henrygayle#LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KingsXIPunjab #KXIP #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/sixUgw1pcd
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) 19 April 2018
KXIP will next face KKR at their home in Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 21. KXIP franchise are currently at No 3 of the points table with 3 victories in 4 outings.
WITH IANS INPUTS
