Former England captain Eoin Morgan has named India as the ‘out-and-out favourites’ to win the ICC Champions Trophy as he ‘can’t really pick any holes in their side’.
Shubman Gill scored a sublime unbeaten century as India got their campaign off to the perfect start with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
It came after joint-hosts Pakistan were well beaten by New Zealand in the opening match of the 50-over competition, which returned for the first time in almost a decade this week.
England, meanwhile, led by Brendon McCullum, kick off their tournament this weekend with a stern test against Australia, who triumphed at the most recent ODI World Cup in 2023.
But India are the bookmakers’ favourites to come out on top after their 3-0 series whitewash of Jos Buttler and Co and Morgan expects Rohit Sharma’s men to be there or thereabouts come the business end of the event.
‘To do the runners and riders, the side that’s the frontrunner, best positioned across the squads, I would say India… out-and-out favourites,’ Morgan – whose England side finished as runners-up at the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy – said.
‘I can’t really pick any holes in their side and I know that’s been the case the last couple of tournaments they’ve gone into.
‘Finally, Ahmedabad, where Australia picked them, and then the T20 win, where they robbed the trophy out of the South African hands.
‘You have to still believe that winning trophies and tasting champagne brings confidence, because once you’ve been there, you can believe that you can do it again.
‘That’s why India are the favourites.’
Morgan feels ‘home conditions’ could prove a major factor for Pakistan, who host this year’s tournament alongside the United Arab Emirates.
‘As far as outsiders are concerned, I would never rule Pakistan out of it. Home conditions will favour them,’ he added.
‘I would say England is an outside chance as well. They’ve been in not in great form for a period of time, and Brendon McCullum has just taken over, and in a short space of time, it’s hard to achieve anything.
‘They have their first match with Australia on Saturday who are a side without a number of stars like Cummins and Marcus Stoinis, who recently retired as well.
‘I’d imagine whoever among those two sides wins will be there.
‘I think England could go on a bit of a ride, but I’m excited.’
Speaking to The ICC Review ahead of the tournament, Ricky Ponting talked up Australia’s chances of getting their hands on the trophy.
But Ponting conceded that India and Pakistan both pose a major threat to Australia’s hopes of securing the title for a third time after their previous wins in 2006 and 2009.
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‘It’s hard to go past India and Australia again,’ the legendary ex-Australia captain said.
‘Just think about the quality of players in both countries right now, and you look back in recent history when these big finals and big ICC events have come around and inevitably Australia and India are there somewhere.
‘The other team that is playing some really good cricket at the moment is Pakistan.
‘Their one-day cricket over the last little bit has been absolutely outstanding.’
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