Australia Favourites to Win World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar to NDTV

Australia are the firm favourites to win the World Cup. They have a very balanced side and in home conditions, they have proved themselves to be quite an unbeatable force in the last 18 months. In an exclusive chat with NDTV in Sydney, Ian Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman expressed their views about why the Aussies are the team to beat at their own backyard.(World Cup 2015: Full Coverage)

"They have the attack to take the wickets which is the most important thing in limited overs cricket", said Sunil Gavaskar. The former Indian skipper explained how the Australians can restrict an opposition by their sheer wicket-taking capability. He tagged them as favourites because they will be better equipped to handle home conditions and will be in a better space than the 1992 edition.

VVS Laxman pointed out the depth of the Aussie batting and said that their in-form batsmen give them the edge over the rest of the sides.(Mitchell Marsh Confident of Filling in Faulkner's Shoes)

"I think there is a lot of depth in their batting and most importantly all of them are in great form, except for George Bailey who is not amongst the runs," Laxman said.

The former Indian Test cricketer also stressed on the fact that the Australians are spoilt for choice of all-rounders in their side.

"They have got Shane Watson. Even someone like Mitchell Marsh, who has just come into the Australian squad, and the way he played in the (triseries) final against England shows that they have depth. Brad Haddin is a dangerous one-day player", said the 40-year-old Laxman.

Australia though, have a minor problem with leadership. With Michael Clarke sidelined with injury and George Bailey in a slump, the onus might fall on the young shoulders of Steve Smith. However, according to the former Australian skipper Ian Chappell, it wasn't much of a concern.

"I don't think there will be a problem because they had Clarke in the first Test match (vs India in Adelaide) and then they have had Brad Haddin finishing off that Test, then you had Steven Smith and then in the one-day game you had George Bailey. So they are already used to playing under different captains."

Ian Chappell was in favour of Smith assuming the vice-captaincy instead of Bailey because on recent form, the Tasmanian doesn't justify his place in the side.

"Ideally I think they should have made Smith vice-captain to Clarke so because if for instance Clarke plays then Bailey certainly doesn't play in my team", added the Australian veteran.

Australia have been in terrific form and have smashed their way to victory in the Tests as well as the tri-series. Their batsman are in superb touch, their bowling has a spring in their stride and their fielding is as good as any team. The home conditions add to their advantage and it will be a massive upset if they fail to lift the Cup for the fifth time.