India out to fulfil their talent

Best performance: Winners 1983
2003: Runners-up
Price:7/1

Ever since they won the tournament in 1983 - one of the biggest suprises in World Cup history - I have been waiting for them to win it again, fulfilling the potential that just oozes out of their top six.

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They never quite managed it, though they almost managed it in 2003 when they made the final, only to be outplayed by Australia.

This time, they have come in a little bit beneath the radar, like England, but that could be a good thing as pressure has never been their friend. However, they do have a classy line-up, led by Rahul Dravid, with Sachin Tendulkar back in the fold after injury and former skipper Sourav Ganguly back in the side after being unceremoniously dropped not so long ago.

The batting has never been a problem and it shouldn't be again, though Dravid has a tendency to be run out and Virender Sehwag is struggling for form. This could be the stage for Tendulkar to return to the position of authority he deserves.

Their bowling is reliant on the guile of Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble but in Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan they have some genuinely good seamers to back them up. They may have won just five of their past 20 matches but they have enough talent to come good when required.

Player to watch: Sachin Tendulkar
It probably sounds ridiculous to suggest that Tendulkar, the man with the most one-day hundreds in the history of the game, should be one to watch.

However, after a run of injury problems, the little master is back in the fold and back doing what he loves best; scoring runs. Tendulkar now has 41 centuries to his name and there is more than an even chance that he will add to that tally, especially in the group stages.

When he plays well, India do well. It's as simple as that. And with this being probably his last World Cup, what better way than to go out on a high?

Prediction:
Runners-up
They seem to have found a good balance between bat and ball and can out-bat any team on their day.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.