Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has written off England’s chances of winning next year’s World Cup.
Three heavy defeats saw England slip to a 3-1 defeat to India in the one-day series in the summer and Alastair Cook’s side have struggled in the shorter format of the game in recent years.
Tendulkar, who retired from cricket in November 2013, was India’s leading run-scorer in the team’s 2011 World Cup triumph and believes his compatriots can defend their crown in Australia and New Zealand next year.
“I think Australia, South Africa, New Zealand are a dark horse, and India – these four should be my semi-finalists,” Tendulkar said at the launch of his autobiography, ‘Playing It My Way’.
“Do England have a chance? Not really.
"I don’t think so. Anything is possible in this sport but going on current form I don’t think England will be that competitive.
“I feel India can surprise a lot of people and I also believe the spinners will come into play.
“People talk about the pitches for fast bowlers but because of the size of the grounds, I think spinners could be important.”
Tendulkar refused to be drawn on the merits of Kevin Pietersen’s controversial autobiography, saying only that “certain things should stay in the dressing room”.
Nor did he want to discuss the ongoing row between India and the West Indies, which he said was “definitely not good for cricket”.
