Cricket World Cup 2015: Prediction, Analysis, and Team Favorites

As someone deeply passionate about cricket, the 2015 Cricket World Cup was a special event indeed. Being from India, my favorite team, naturally, was India. However, I also had a soft spot in my heart for other teams, such as New Zealand and Australia, for different reasons.

Favorite Teams in the 2015 Cricket World Cup

India: Coming from India, my support for the national team is quite strong. Dhoni's match-reading abilities allow Kohli to focus on batting with more confidence, and the team's experience, particularly Kohli's world cup experience, adds an edge. India's balance and depth in the squad made them my top choice going into the tournament.

New Zealand: Supporting New Zealand was heartfelt, mainly due to an incident that occurred during the last World Cup. Despite not being a strong contender, New Zealand has a very strong One Day International (ODI) record and deserves a win this year. Moreover, I am half Kiwi, which also plays a big role in my support for them.

Australia: Despite being home to England, their recent form in ODIs, their home ground advantage, and battling depth made them a strong contender for the title. Australia's approach to the game and overall attitude also impressed me positively.

United States' Cricket Journey

Cricket wasn't on my radar until I met my husband. He is a passionate cricket player who pays for a streaming channel just to follow cricket. Since he grew up in India, we naturally supported the Indian team. Fortunately, the US did not have a team, so we didn't have to face any conflicting loyalties. Coming out as the winner of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka, India's chances in the quarter-finals were quite good.

Predictions and Analysis

The 2015 Cricket World Cup saw a few underdogs or underestimated teams, among which the West Indies could not be overlooked. Their destructive batting line could chase down any total, making them a force to reckon with.

India's Prediction: In the quarter-finals, India will likely face Bangladesh, which they should easily win. In the semi-finals, India is most likely to face Australia, playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The SCG is renowned for its advantage to spinners, and with Ashwin's current form and Australia's bowlers not leaking runs, India has a strong chance.

India vs. New Zealand in the Final: The final is expected to be between India and New Zealand at the MCG. New Zealand has solidly dominated on home ground but hasn't played on Australian soil in this tournament. They rely heavily on their batsmen's ability to score runs in small grounds and bowlers' swing. However, the MCG's size and the pitch conditions, with more turn for spinners, would be a tough challenge for them. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah dominating the strike with pace, India's victory is expected.

India vs. Australia Clash: India is expected to edge out Australia due to India's superior home advantage at the SCG. The balanced batting order and fielding depth give India the upper hand, particularly in the pivotal semi-finals match at Lord's.

In conclusion, the 2015 Cricket World Cup saw a mix of traditional favorites and new surprises. With strategic prowess and the spirit of the game, teams like India, New Zealand, and Australia made the tournament exciting. The predictions for the final indeed indicate a strong winning chance for India over New Zealand, but the journey to the final was full of surprising results and individual heroes.