English cricketer reckons team India is England's biggest rival at WC 2019

The build up to the 2019 edition of the ICC World Cup has already started. The premier tournament will be played in England. England, with the way they have played an attacking brand of cricket in limited overs in the last couple of years, are being tagged as the favorites to win the tournament. English cricketer Sam Billings, however, reckons that team India will be a tough challenge for the hosts next year.

Currently, Indian team is in England for a full tour. They stunned the English side with a T20I series win. If India manages to beat England in the ODI series as well, they will certainly get their noses ahead for the World Cup bragging rights next year as the pre-tournament favorites.

It is worth noting that the Indian team had reached the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, which was also played in England. Sam Billings, as per the recent quotes on the official website of ICC, remarked that the adaptability of the Indian team is very impressive.

“There’s a lot of very good teams, I think India will be a very strong side to beat, they’re always strong. [They’re a] very adaptable side and have some very good players, so I’d put them down as England’s biggest rivals,” Sam Billings quoted.

On England’s rise in white-ball cricket

Commenting on the revolution that the English side has had in limited overs cricket ever since their dismal run in World Cup 2015, Sam Billings showed excitement on the progress. He remarked that the team is very optimistic of doing well at the World Cup next year.

“Over the last few years our one-day cricket has gone from strength to strength. The squad of players we’ve got have been incredible and will only get better. It’s a really exciting time. Of course you have to be optimistic, you have to be confident. If we play our best cricket then we’ll certainly be there or thereabouts [at CWC19], so it’ll be a great contest and hopefully a great tournament,” noted the attacking batsman.

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