India is favourite opposite Pakistan in World Cup match.
The article speaks about the chances of Indian team defeating Pakistan in the opening encounter on 15th February, 2015. India are favourites in the match.
India clash with arch rivals Pakistan on 15th January, 2015. India start the tournament as favourites. They were the last world cup champions of 2011. India had lifted the World Cup twice, once under the captainship of Kapil Dev in 1983 and the other in the captainship of Dhoni in 2011. Pakistan had lifted the World Cup once in 1992 under the captainship of Imran Khan.
Both the teams India and Pakistan have a lot of injury concerns. Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma could not play this World Cup for injury.
Mohit Sharma will replace him. Pakistani fast bowler Junaid Khan has been ruled out of World Cup for injury concerns. Indian bowler Ravindra Jadeja had recovered from injury but had not showed any form in the triangular series opposite Australia and England. Pakistan's bowler Saeed Ajmal had been relieved by umpires but too late. He had not been included in the Pakistan team. He is the best off-spinner at the moment and it will hurt Pakistan a lot.
But if the teams are examined, it will be seen that India is more strong than Pakistan in respect of batting. India has more than 3 match winners including Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In the practice matches Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkye Rahane had shown form. Pakistan also have match winners like Misbah Ul Haque and Umar Akmal, but their experience and record does not suggest to be threat for India. Shahid Afridi had always played well against India in the past.
The only area where Pakistan is superior is the bowling line up. The spinner Yasir Shah has potential. Mohammad Irfan with big height can move the ball at the early part of the match. India relies heavily on Mohammad Shami is the most experienced and trained bowler at the slog overs. For Bhubaneswar Kumar, Mohit Sharma and Ashwin this is the best time when they can steal the show. The wicket in Adelaide will be batting friendly. In the first two matches already New Zealand and Australia had scored beyond 300 runs. So a high scoring match is on the card in case full 50 overs are played. There are forecasts of periodic rains.
The records are in favour of India. In all the five previous encounters India had always defeated Pakistan in World Cups. If Indian team plays to their potentials they should defeat Pakistan.