MUMBAI: Cricket fans should expect a run bonanza at the ICC World Cup inEngland and Wales starting this month, India captain Virat Kohli saidTuesday.
Ahead of India’s departure for the tournament, Kohli said local seamingconditions would likely favour batsmen.
“In ICC tournaments the pitches are going to be very good and it’s summerin the UK. We expect high-scoring games,” Kohli told a press conference inMumbai.
England beat Pakistan 4-0 in a five-match warmup series with nearly everygame seeing innings of 350 plus on grounds that will be used for the WorldCup.
Kohli insisted, however, that World Cup pressure will bring down the totals.
“A bilateral series compared to a World Cup is very different, so you mightsee lot of 260-270 kind of games and teams successfully defending itbecause of the pressure factor,” said the skipper of India — one thefavourites alongside England and Australia.
Two-time winners India, who start against South Africa in Southampton onJune 5, feel they have a strong chance with a potent pace bowling attackled by Jasprit Bumrah.
“We go into the World Cup feeling very balanced and a strong side. You sawin the IPL (T20 series) , all the players that are in the squad are ingreat form and playing really well,” said Kohli.
India have some worries over their spinners Kuldeep Yadav and YuzvendraChahal, who were less impressive in the IPL.
Chahal claimed 18 wickets for Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, butYadav struggled with his left-arm wrist spin for Kolkata Knight Riders.
“In hindsight if you look at it, like Kuldeep, who has had so much success,it’s important to see a period where things don’t go your way. And I amglad it happened during the IPL, rather than the World Cup,” said Kohli.
“He has time to reflect and correct things and come into the World Cup evenstronger. We know the skill set he possesses along with Chahal. They aretwo pillars of our bowling line-up.”
The 10-team World Cup returns to a round-robin format and Kohli saidconsistency was the only way to make the semi-finals.
“Everyone has to be at their best game intensity from the first matchonwards and you don’t have any room for complacency.
“That’s why it’s the World Cup, the most important tournament in theworld,” said Kohli, who compared the “intensity” to competing in football’sEnglish Premier League or Spain’s La Liga.
England launch the tournament against South Africa at the Oval in London onMay 30. -APP/AFP