The man with more than 750 international wickets said fast bowlers will be key in England
Sri Lanka bowling great Chaminda Vaas feels India are one of the favourites to win the Champions Trophy to be played in England from June 1.
In Mumbai to train young fast bowlers at the Jwala Sports Foundation's Centre of Excellence for Cricket, the former left-arm pacer says: "Whoever is doing well now stands a good chance to win. For me, first is England, then New Zealand have a good chance. And then one sub-continent team from either Sri Lanka, Pakistan or India.
"Cricket is about three departments. A team which is good in batting, fielding and bowling will win the Champions Trophy. When you are especially playing in English condition, which is cold, whoever grabs it well will do well."
The man with more than 750 international wickets said fast bowlers will be key in England. "It also depends on the wickets. It's going to be cold and fresh which is good for fast bowlers. It will be them who will hold the key. Spinners too will have a part to play."
Vaas is sure that the Indian captain Virat Kohli will be the man to watch out for. "I am 100 per cent sure Virat will do well in Champions Trophy. He has showed the courage and confidence as captain before and now as well," Vaas said.
Vaas is also impressed with the kind of pacers that India are producing. "I think (the reason for Indian fast bowlers doing well) No. 1 is fitness. They have been maintaining their fitness level. They are strong and bowl quick. They are consistent too. They are learning from games and the people coaching them (in IPL). They are able to get everything and put into the game. It is one of the best fast bowling group in the world. India will produce more fast bowlers, thanks to the IPL," he said.
He also has words of praise for Jasprit Bumrah. "I am sure whatever Malinga or Shane Bond or Mitchell (Johnson) will explain to Bumrah, he must be applying in the game and performing. It is important that he is giving 100 per cent and improving by the day," he says.
Vaas says that fast bowling has evolved a lot in India. "IPL has all the fast bowlers. They have become clever and learning a lot. They want to achieve. They have been bowling very well at the death with those slow balls and slow bouncers. They have been using a lot of variations. It's a good sign," he says.
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