2019 Cricket World Cup - Discussion & Analysis

[logicgate]

Lol. Seriously? Think before posting such silly bullshit. No matter what what you say, the fact is that Cricket is the 2nd most popular sport in the world and facts prove that which is why no one really cares whether you are willing to accept the truth or not.

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-world.html

The population doesn't matter much. It's the number of countries which is going to matter. Let's compare:

Cricket world cup: 10 countries
Hockey world cup: 16 countries
Football world cup: 48 countries (from 2026)
Olympics: 206 countries
Basketball: 32 countries
Boxing: 85 countries
Rugby 7s: 24 countries
Volleyball: 24 countries
Baseball: 16 countries
Handball: 24 countries
Taekwondo: 177 countries

Just look at the above list, and it is clear that cricket is one of the least popular sports in the world. Just because cricket is played by the Indians and the Indian diaspora, it does not qualify as a global sport.

And one more thing. The link that you had given has no source. How this 2.5 billion figure is reached? South Asia may contribute to 1 billion and Indian diaspora another 10 million. At the most cricket may have 1.1 billion fans. It has zero fans in nations such as China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, USA, Russia.etc.  

Lol. Who the heck are you people? Population does not matter? Number of countries only matter? Do you people even think before posting such nonsensical bullshit?  Do you even realise how much cricketers earn?

I have travelled around the world and I know how popular Cricket is. There are many links like the one that I just provided that state how Cricket is the 2nd most popular sport in the world. Also, I don't really care whether you are willing to accept the truth or not.

  Yeah it is the only number of the countries who are betting and who are playing, as in my East areas there is one concept to see India and Pakistan playing cricket, as both the countries has been playing since long and there are so many others but the match between these two countries has always been an interesting one.

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[Pffrt]

Well, in that case, Khawaja and Warner is the best option for opening. I think Australia can make Finch one down too.  I'm not sure his batting stats in 2nd position though. Didn't find such stuffs on the reputed sports sites. Considering Khakawa's recent performance, Finch is no for me.

And Finch did reasonably well during the last two ODI series (against Pakistan and India).

Khawaja played at least 10 times better than Aaron Finch in the last 3 series. Two against India and one against Pakistan. Finch played better than Khawaja only against Pakistan. Well. I can't deny the fact they three should have a place but when we talk about last days performance, Khawaja must have played in XI.

[Vishnu.Reang]

For the Indian sqaud, I hope Dhoni plays this world cup as it may be the last world cup for him after which he may choose to retire. He should be the captain instead of Virat as even though Virat has proved himself, his captaincy has not been as good as Dhonis and plus this is the World Cup and the entire team has new cricketers and I miss Ashwin's bowling. They can choose Raina too.

Dhoni is a very divisive figure and he has clear bias in favor of (ex)CSK players such as Raina, Ashwin.etc. Kohli is more or less unbiased and he cares more about the team rather than about his own individual performances.

I don't think Dhoni is biased as he has chosen players like Nehra earlier who nobody could trust and Nehra proved himself. Dhoni reminds me of Kapil Dev who also used to trust the players and not think about himself. Kohli's captaincy is totally different and he still remains unsure  of his selection just like Sachin was earlier "always under pressure".

I think Kohli is more like Sourav Ganguly. His aggressiveness reminds me of Sourav. Dhoni is more mild mannered, like Sachin. And when Sachin was the captain, his performance got affected as a result of the added responsibility. This has never happened with Kohli.

[Bdstar]

For the Indian sqaud, I hope Dhoni plays this world cup as it may be the last world cup for him after which he may choose to retire. He should be the captain instead of Virat as even though Virat has proved himself, his captaincy has not been as good as Dhonis and plus this is the World Cup and the entire team has new cricketers and I miss Ashwin's bowling. They can choose Raina too.

Undoubtedly dhoni should be on the first eleven.Look at his recent performance or IPL.He's still very good at this age.And remember 2011, when dhoni helped the Indian team to win the world cup after 83.I think india will make a great team for WC 19. And India will be considered one of the favorites of World cup.       

[Raja_MBZ]

For the Indian sqaud, I hope Dhoni plays this world cup as it may be the last world cup for him after which he may choose to retire. He should be the captain instead of Virat as even though Virat has proved himself, his captaincy has not been as good as Dhonis and plus this is the World Cup and the entire team has new cricketers and I miss Ashwin's bowling. They can choose Raina too.

Undoubtedly dhoni should be on the first eleven.Look at his recent performance or IPL.He's still very good at this age.And remember 2011, when dhoni helped the Indian team to win the world cup after 83.I think india will make a great team for WC 19. And India will be considered one of the favorites of World cup.       

I've not followed Dhoni's performance in recent matches of IPL; however, I've got a feeling that Dhoni will be an epic failure for the Indian team if he's taken for the world cup. His experience can definitely help the team, but coming up in the middle-order, when the team requires a faster score, MS is no longer appropriate, especially on the difficult pitches.

You'll see what I'm talking about once the world cup begins.

[sujonali1819]

For the Indian sqaud, I hope Dhoni plays this world cup as it may be the last world cup for him after which he may choose to retire. He should be the captain instead of Virat as even though Virat has proved himself, his captaincy has not been as good as Dhonis and plus this is the World Cup and the entire team has new cricketers and I miss Ashwin's bowling. They can choose Raina too.

Undoubtedly dhoni should be on the first eleven.Look at his recent performance or IPL.He's still very good at this age.And remember 2011, when dhoni helped the Indian team to win the world cup after 83.I think india will make a great team for WC 19. And India will be considered one of the favorites of World cup.       

Yes, Dhoni is now performing better in this IPL 2019. Generally, I love Dhoni mainly for his captaincy and cool behavior. I think Dhoni is Blessing from Almighty for the Indian team. So hope in this upcoming WC 2019 Dhoni will support more.

[Juggy777]

Yes, Dhoni is now performing better in this IPL 2019. Generally, I love Dhoni mainly for his captaincy and cool behavior. I think Dhoni is Blessing from Almighty for the Indian team. So hope in this upcoming WC 2019 Dhoni will support more.

Hey it’s fun to see when the ex Indian Captain is in form, for quiet awhile he’s been criticised for his batting and he’s let his bat do all the talking. I have no doubt in my mind that he should make it to the playing 11, however there’re several Indian players that have me worried. As you’ll have seen Rohit Sharma’s injury, Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of form bowling, and on the other hand West Indies and England players are on fire in the league. I feel team India players need to step up their game, or else they’ll go with low confidence in the World Cup 2019.

[onrise]

Pollard , Russell, Gayle are performing well and if they continue this way and with other players joining the WI team they could be brutal in the World cup if this trends continue as they have real good all rounders as well.

[Sithara007]

Pollard , Russell, Gayle are performing well and if they continue this way and with other players joining the WI team they could be brutal in the World cup if this trends continue as they have real good all rounders as well.

Nope... these players are very monetary minded. They will perform with all their heart while playing for the respective IPL franchises. But the form won't be the same while playing for the national team. And that is why West Indies is ranked #9, despite having some of the best players in the world. Can't blame them as well. You don't gain anything by singing patriotism.  

[AB de Royse777]

Pollard , Russell, Gayle are performing well and if they continue this way and with other players joining the WI team they could be brutal in the World cup if this trends continue as they have real good all rounders as well.

I doubt. It's different format than IPL.

Different format, different bowling attack and fielding strategy. Besides, as far as I know the West Indian players are not having good time with the managements. So, I would not expect much from them. If this was T20 world cup then I would bet for them but in this one, I think they may even lose some matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they manage any match with them (I have not looked at the fixer yet).

Honestly speaking, West Indians have some great players like you mentioned above but greatness needs management, team spirit, certain goals which the West Indies team do not have right now.

By the way, do you guys think Gayle is fit for 50 over matches?

Looking at his movements I doubt he is fit for long innings. He is okay to hit 6s and 4s in short format like T20 but for 50 over matches it will be too much to ask from him. Don't forget his back injury which all the bowlers use against him. There was a time when a blower bowled a body length ball then Gayle used to hit it hard but now, he can not do much and the bowlers use it in favour of them.

[Haunebu]

Pollard , Russell, Gayle are performing well and if they continue this way and with other players joining the WI team they could be brutal in the World cup if this trends continue as they have real good all rounders as well.

I doubt. It's different format than IPL.

Different format, different bowling attack and fielding strategy. Besides, as far as I know the West Indian players are not having good time with the managements. So, I would not expect much from them. If this was T20 world cup then I would bet for them but in this one, I think they may even lose some matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they manage any match with them (I have not looked at the fixer yet).

Honestly speaking, West Indians have some great players like you mentioned above but greatness needs management, team spirit, certain goals which the West Indies team do not have right now.

By the way, do you guys think Gayle is fit for 50 over matches?

Looking at his movements I doubt he is fit for long innings. He is okay to hit 6s and 4s in short format like T20 but for 50 over matches it will be too much to ask from him. Don't forget his back injury which all the bowlers use against him. There was a time when a blower bowled a body length ball then Gayle used to hit it hard but now, he can not do much and the bowlers use it in favour of them.

I completely agree. IPL is completely different when compared to ODIs and test matches which require a lot more patience. This is why the West Indian team has almost always performed well only in T20 tournaments and end up losing in ODI and test tournaments.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I think they may even lose some matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they manage any match with them (I have not looked at the fixer yet).

Hmmm.. that is very interesting. Actually West Indies has lost against the minnows in the world cup on more than one occasion (obviously the 1996 loss against Kenya is the most famous incident). And at the same time, Afghanistan has built their reputation as the giant-killers in world cricket. There are 10 teams and in the group stage all the teams play against the other once. So WI will be playing against BAN and AFG.

[AB de Royse777]

~snip~

Hmmm.. that is very interesting. Actually West Indies has lost against the minnows in the world cup on more than one occasion (obviously the 1996 loss against Kenya is the most famous incident). And at the same time, Afghanistan has built their reputation as the giant-killers in world cricket. There are 10 teams and in the group stage all the teams play against the other once. So WI will be playing against BAN and AFG.

Well the West Indian team before and now has a huge difference. Before the lose of West Indian team considered as upset but if they lose now then I do not think anyone will consider it as upset. It will considered as a regular win.

West Indies management really needs to focus on their cricket reputation and use their previous glory to come back in the International race.

[Haunebu]

~snip~

Hmmm.. that is very interesting. Actually West Indies has lost against the minnows in the world cup on more than one occasion (obviously the 1996 loss against Kenya is the most famous incident). And at the same time, Afghanistan has built their reputation as the giant-killers in world cricket. There are 10 teams and in the group stage all the teams play against the other once. So WI will be playing against BAN and AFG.

Well the West Indian team before and now has a huge difference. Before the lose of West Indian team considered as upset but if they lose now then I do not think anyone will consider it as upset. It will considered as a regular win.

West Indies management really needs to focus on their cricket reputation and use their previous glory to come back in the International race.

I do remember the yesteryear West Indian teams which consisted of legends like Lara, Courtney Walsh, Curtley Ambrose etc who used to dominate their opponents in every way possible.

The current West Indian team is simply a shadow of those amazing lineups.

[Vishnu.Reang]

~snip~

Hmmm.. that is very interesting. Actually West Indies has lost against the minnows in the world cup on more than one occasion (obviously the 1996 loss against Kenya is the most famous incident). And at the same time, Afghanistan has built their reputation as the giant-killers in world cricket. There are 10 teams and in the group stage all the teams play against the other once. So WI will be playing against BAN and AFG.

Well the West Indian team before and now has a huge difference. Before the lose of West Indian team considered as upset but if they lose now then I do not think anyone will consider it as upset. It will considered as a regular win.

West Indies management really needs to focus on their cricket reputation and use their previous glory to come back in the International race.

I do remember the yesteryear West Indian teams which consisted of legends like Lara, Courtney Walsh, Curtley Ambrose etc who used to dominate their opponents in every way possible.

The current West Indian team is simply a shadow of those amazing lineups.

Even the current West Indian team has got a number of good players. If they put 100% in to their game, then they will be able to beat anyone. But first they need to put aside the personal differences and bond together as a team.

[Pffrt]

I think they may even lose some matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they manage any match with them (I have not looked at the fixer yet).

West Indies will play against Afghanistan, no chances against Bangladesh since both are in different group. Well, if we look at their current performanc, chances is they will lost against Afghanistan. I second your thoughts too.

[AB de Royse777]

~snip~

Even the current West Indian team has got a number of good players. If they put 100% in to their game, then they will be able to beat anyone. But first they need to put aside the personal differences and bond together as a team.

It's not football that in a camp few weeks of practice makes good understanding between players. Cricket is different. For sure West Indies have good player but I doubt they are fit for ODI matches. They are doing well in T20 but T20 and ODI are two different format.

Besides finding a good combination in betting and bowling is crucial. It requires lots of matches to play and experiments in both net and real matches.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I think they may even lose some matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they manage any match with them (I have not looked at the fixer yet).

West Indies will play against Afghanistan, no chances against Bangladesh since both are in different group. Well, if we look at their current performanc, chances is they will lost against Afghanistan. I second your thoughts too.

Different group? What are you talking about? There are no "groups" for this edition of the world cup. All the ten teams are going to play one match each against every other team. WI vs AFG on 4th July, while their match against BAN will be on 17th June.

[AB de Royse777]

Here you guys will find the match details: https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/43914118

Vishnu.Reang is right. Every team will play against each of the nation in the group stage. If I am not wrong then top four will play the semi and then final in the Lord's.

It's a one and half month long event. This year surely is a cricket year :-)

[erikalui]

I've not followed Dhoni's performance in recent matches of IPL; however, I've got a feeling that Dhoni will be an epic failure for the Indian team if he's taken for the world cup. His experience can definitely help the team, but coming up in the middle-order, when the team requires a faster score, MS is no longer appropriate, especially on the difficult pitches.

You'll see what I'm talking about once the world cup begins.

He is playing quite well for CSK and I want Dhoni in this world cup as it will be his last. I always have felt that even when is batting score is poor, his presence still helps the team and we need someone like him from the older team to manage the team properly. As a WC, I haven't seen anyone as good and alert as him.