Possibly for the first time in the history of the ICC’s marquee global event, the cricket World Cup, subcontinental giants India can claim to be the favourites to win the crown. They are bidding to be the first team ever to break the host nation’s jinx and bring the coveted trophy to the financial superpower of the cricketing world.

In the larger context of the sport itself, it is indeed crucial that this World Cup pans out well. Ever since the ICC copped a huge amount of criticism for the way the previous edition was conducted in the Caribbean, they are desperate to set things right. Needless to say, the best possible outcome they could hope for is that the home team does well; and when that team happens to be India, success would mean massive revenues as well. Also, with the interest in 50-over format of the game inexorably waning since the advent of the T20 version, this World Cup is an acid test to the format’s longevity, especially since popularity in the subcontinent is crucial to its health.

Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosts of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, will begin their World Cup campaign on 20^th February as one of the favourites to go all the way. An upbeat Lankan side, who have happy memories of the 1996 World Cup played in the sub-continent, will fancy their chances to win the title again in familiar conditions. They have been placed in Group A, where they will face the likes of Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand in addition to a host of minnows desperate to claim a major scalp.

After beating Australia in their own backyard, this Kumar Sangakkara led side came back home to beat West Indies 2-0 in the recently concluded ODI series. Sri Lanka are currently ranked third in the ICC ODI Rankings, and are virtually unbeatable at home, making them even stronger challengers for the crown come April.

They’ve done it in the past and they would love to do it again. A fearless Irish side arrive in the Indian subcontinent with the intention to go as far as they can in the World Cup. Despite carrying the minnows tag, Ireland will not be taken lightly after their surprising performance in the previous edition in the Carribean. The 2007 team that was led by Trent Johnston caused a major upset when they beat Pakistan, which eventually led to the ouster of the Asian giants from the World Cup and perhaps was also responsible for the unfortunate and rather mysterious death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer in his hotel room.

Form wise, Ireland have been patchy at best. Before they travelled for the World Cup, they beat Netherlands 2-0 in a two-match ODI series at home but failed to carry this form overseas. They drew 1-1 in a two match ODI series against Canada and lost 2-1 in a three match series in Zimbabwe. They have already played two World Cup warm-up matches against Kenya and Zimbabwe and have lost both encounters.

What makes a side a strong cricketing nation? Is it one having a powerful batting line-up, a feared bowling attack or is it the presence of numerous all-rounders? Or is it the one which has self confidence, a passion for the game and unwavering support from their fans? While Bangladesh would fail miserably on all counts to attempt 1, they would undoutedly be an easy choice for effort no.2. And hence, as they head into the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup in the enviable position of co-hosts, it is time to shed the tag of minnows and prove they belong on the world stage.

There have been different eras in world cricket when a weaker team started its ascension to the top. The late 1990’s marked the upsurge of Sri Lanka while the early part of that decade belonged to Pakistan. India of course announced their presence in the early 1980s, winning their first test overseas and capturing their only cricket World Cup. Before the subcontinental giants, the Aussies, the South Africans and the West Indies each made the headlines for beating the English at their own game. Since the turn of the century, it is Bangladesh which has defied the odds and their critics to score monumental wins over some of the leaders in world cricket. Although it is still way behind from achieving superstardom, its considerable improvement in One Day Internationals and its gifted trio of big match players, have instigated this team with belief, poise and self assurance. And though it may be an exaggeration to call them dark horses for the big prize, they will definitely cause an upset or two before bowing out.

The World T20 Champions are set to kickstart their ODI World Cup campaign with not quite the ideal preparations in place, as both recent form and injury concerns furrow the brow of skipper Andrew Strauss. After beating the Aussies in an emphatic manner in the recently concluded Ashes, they have sunk to an embarrassing 6-1 defeat in the ODIs against the same opposition, and are now struggling to put together a fit XI following a long and grueling tour Down Under.

England field remarkably different sides in the T20 and test formats, with only 4 players in Pietersen, Collingwood, Swann and Broad common to both the outfits that won the World T20 in the West Indies and the one that retained the Ashes 3-1 this year. Their one-day squad borrows from both, with a stronger inclination towards the test players, which probably suggests the thinktank do not want to send in too many players with techniques unsuited to prolonged durations at the crease, especially since the subcontinental wickets will offer a different challenge to the ones the players are accustomed to back home.

After a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in their backyard and an abysmal performance at home against South Africa, an out-of-sorts West Indian squad travel to the Indian subcontinent for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011, with a hope to revive their form. Placed in Group B, alongside heavyweights like India, England and South Africa, this Darren Sammy-led side will face an uphill challenge and are likely to set for themselves an initial target of clearing the group stages. Sadly for the Windies, they are in the tougher of the two groups, and even the minnows in their half of the draw will be targeting their scalp as the one they can genuinely claim.

Languishing at the ninth spot in the ICC ODI rankings, the current West Indian squad lacks the fire power that was seen in their World Cup winning squads of 1975 and 1979. While arguably not as balanced as their predecessors, the West Indies are blessed with a number of pure match winners, for whom no ground in the subcontinent will be too small to clear. Should the likes of Chris Gayle or Kieron Pollard strike any level of form, they have the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and win it single-handedly. Consistency though will be their biggest challenge, especially in a 50-over scenario.