World Cup 2015: Odds Stacked Heavily Against Ragged Team India

Just two weeks ahead of World Cup 2015, there is bad news for Team India fans. Following their abysmal showing in the tri-nation ODI series involving Australia and England, Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co. have slipped down to fourth spot among the favourites to win the World Cup. (Dhoni confident of India's chances)

According to Global Betting Odds, Australia are firm favourites to clinch their fifth World Cup title. South Africa, who have always been underwhelming in World Cups, are ranked second while perennial semi-finalists New Zealand are third.

India finished the tri-series without a single win and go into the World Cup with a lot of questions to answer and areas to strengthen. Their batting capitulation against England on two occasions and bowling failure against Australia are major causes for concern. While Dhoni has maintained that the team is primed for the World Cup despite the recent poor showing, the odds do seem to be staked heavily against the title holders. (Indian players need their families to feel refreshed, says Ganguly)

Chances of Eoin Morgan's England, who beat India twice and will face Australia in the tri-series final on Sunday, have gone up. They are below India but only marginally. Co-hosts New Zealand too, have been in splendid form over the last 18 months and will be eager to break the semifinal voodoo and stake a claim on the trophy.

Team India begin their World Cup defence against Pakistan and have the reputation of never failing against their arch-rivals in major tournament. On current form however, Pakistan will fancy themselves to break the jinx against the rusty Indian side. Can Dhoni beat the odds and claim his second successive World Cup trophy?