The country Bleeds Blue as India plays its first match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 against South Africa.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that he has ‘full faith’ in the Indian cricket team, who will be playing their first match in this edition of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on Wednesday.
“I have full faith in Indian players, they have done a lot of preparation. So, I want to congratulate the whole Indian cricket team and I hope the World Cup, which we had won earlier, we will bring that World Cup again in India,” Rijiju told ANI.
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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) wished good luck to the Indian cricket team as they begin their World Cup campaign by facing South Africa.
“Delhi Metro would like to wish our Boys in Blue the best of luck as they gear up for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Let’s cheer for the Indian team to bring the World Cup home!” DMRC tweeted.
Delhi Metro would like to wish our Boys in Blue the best of luck as they gear up for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Let’s cheer for the Indian team to bring the World Cup home! #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/FtDmyeaNcz
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) June 5, 2019
Former Indian cricket Kapil Dev, on Wednesday, urged the team to play with full dedication and win the premier Tournament.
“I want the team to play with their full dedication and win the World Cup,” Dev told ANI.
Dev led the team during India’s 1983 World Cup triumph. India defeated West Indies in the final by 43 runs. In this edition of the premier tournament, the team will be led by Virat Kohli, who atop the ICC ODI rankings.
India will compete against South Africa, who are displaying a woeful performance in the tournament as they lost both their previous matches at the hands of England and Bangladesh. South Africa batsman Hashim Amla did not appear in the previous game which was played against Bangladesh as he faced a blow to head during England clash and Lungi Ngidi also left the field during the second match after he sustained a hamstring injury. Moreover, Dale Steyn has also been ruled out of the premier tournament owing to his shoulder injury which will further deteriorate their performance.
Whereas India are one of the favourites in this edition of the quadrennial tournament as the team is being led by Virat Kohli, who atop the ICC ODI rankings. The team also features 2011 World-cup winning MS Dhoni. Moreover, the squad includes Hardik Pandya, who was at his devastating best in Indian Premier League as he scored 402 runs in the league and hammered the fastest half-century, 17 deliveries, in the league.
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the bowling department and will get support from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to thwart opponent’s batting line-up. Therefore, it will be interesting to see whether South Africa will be able to change their fortunes from now on or India will justify their favourite tag.
India will compete with South Africa at the Rose Bowl cricket ground on June 5.
(With ANI inputs)