The Indian team will open its account in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019, as they play South Africa in Southampton. Virat Kohli and his men have already played two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh and have been watching other teams play.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was recently re-elected with a big majority in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, took to Twitter to send across his wishes to the Indian team and mentioned that the World Cup may witness good cricket and be played in excellent sportsmanship.

Modji’s speech read, “As #TeamIndia begins it’s #CWC19 journey today, best wishes to the entire Team. May this tournament witness good cricket and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship. खेल भी जीतो और दिल भी ! #INDvSA”

No.2 ranked Team India has been touted as one of the favorites, alongside hosts England to win the trophy given their batting prowess thanks to likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya in the lineup, while bowling sees pacers like Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal leading from the front.

Team India will then play Australia on June 9 and New Zealand on June 13, before the big match clash against Pakistan, their arch-rivals on June 16 in Manchester.