ICC World Cup 2019 | Chaminda Vaas backs India to make semi-finals

Former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas was a member of the Sri Lanka team who defeated Australia in the finals of the 1996 ODI World Cup to be crowned World Champions for the very first time. Vaas also holds the record for the best bowling figure in ODI history, and is the only bowler to take an 8-wicket haul in the one-day format.

The seasoned pacer along with former Lanka spinner Rangana Herath was on a trip to Mumbai to inaugurate a local T20 tournament. When interviewed, Vaas gave his opinion of India’s chances at the upcoming 2019 ICC ODI World Cup which will be played in England & Wales.

"Indian cricket has been dominating in the last two-three years. They have good back-up fast bowlers. They will do wonders. Indian team is very balanced. They will do well. My prediction is, India will definitely reach the semifinals (in the World Cup)," Vaas told PTI reporters on Tuesday.

Herath, who has an impressive tally of 433 Test wickets, also heaped praise on the Indian wrist-spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal who were included in the 15-man squad by the BCCI.

"They (the Indian spinners) have been playing well, especially (Yuzvendra) Chahal and Kuldeep (Yadav). That's why they have picked right-arm leg spinner and the chinaman (in the squad) and the other guy also (Ravindra Jadeja).....and I am sure in the coming World Cup,they will do (give) their best.

"You may give extra runs but you need kind of wicket-taking options. That's why they (the teams) pick the right-arm leg-spinner or chinaman (bowlers)," Herath said.