CT 2017: Don't see any reason why India can't defend the title, says Venkatapathy Raju

Former Indian cricketer Venkatapathy Raju feels that the current Indian side has all the armory needed to successfully win the ICC Champions Trophy this year. India will enter into the competition as the defending champions as they had won the 2013 edition of the tournament. Raju believes that the team has a brilliant bowling lineup to back up the splendid batting order.

India started on a high with a win over New Zealand in their first warm-up match. In a conversation with TelanganaToday, Venkatapathy Raju quipped that the participating teams in the tournament are all quality sides. He reckons that the arch rivals Pakistan will be itching to win against India and that sets up the big clash between the two sides. India will take on Pakistan on June 4 at Birmingham.

“I don’t see any reason why India can’t defend it (Champions Trophy). We have good bowling line-up and batting. If they play to their potential, I think India will definitely do well,” quoted Venkatapathy Raju.

“It is the Champions Trophy. There is a reason why it is called that. All the top eight teams will be eager to win the trophy. The competition will be very tough. There is no doubt any team will give an inch away. A few teams can give India a tough fight. Pakistan have never won a game against India in the World Cups. So they will give their best to win against us,” he added further.

On Virat Kohli

Speaking about Virat Kohli, the former cricketer believes that the Indian captain will certainly perform when it matters the most. He noted that the IPL was a hectic tournament. However, the players are thorough professionals to deal with fatigue and come up fresh in the Champions Trophy in the national colors. Venkatapathy Raju has backed Virat Kohli to do well in the ICC mega event.

“Great players always deliver when it matters most. We have seen many great players – bouncing from a slump and delivering for the country. Kohli is a great player and he has proved it many times. He will do it again. Yes, the IPL tournament was a hectic one and almost all the international cricketers played there,” he said.

“But all these players are professionals. They know how to handle these situations. They have some time before the tournament and I think that should be enough rest,” he added further.