India Firm Favourites to Defend World Cup Title, Says Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said on Friday, India would be firm favourites to defend their World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand next month. "India have a very good chance of winning the World Cup. (India need to work on shot selection: Duncan Fletcher)

"I'm not saying this just because there's media. I think whenever you play one-day cricket India will always have a chance," Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of a book reading event 'Anticipating India: The Best of National Interest' by Shekhar Gupta. (Deepika Padukone, Neha Dhupia dress up for Team India)

Indian bowlers might have come a cropper in the recently concluded Test series that they lost 0-2 but Ganguly said in ODIs they would stand a good chance. "You look at the batting, they have a strong line-up. Moreover, ODIs are a lot easier than Test cricket so bowlers will also do well." (Fletcher lauds Dhoni, says he is different)

Ganguly said Indian World Cup contingent was the best possible one. (Dhoni sets his sights on World Cup final)

"I've earlier said this is the best possible team at the moment. They have to play well now. They are a much better one day team than the Tests," he said.

Ganguly further said England too would be title contenders despite their narrow three-wicket loss to Australia in the Tri-series opener at SCG today.

"England will be a tough team. It was a close game and they got 235 and had about seven wickets."