Australia tour will benefit India in World Cup: VVS Laxman

Former India batsman VVS Laxman feels there are no clear favourites for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but the stylish Hyderabadi feels India will surely enjoy an "advantage" having spent a considerable amount of time Down Under before the mega-event.

India will spend nearly two-and-a-half months in Australia before the World Cup and will play four Tests against the hosts besides a tri-series also involving England.

Going by India's present form in the ODI format, Laxman is confident of India defending the World Cup title.

"As far as the World Cup is concerned no one starts as favourites because at least 4-5 teams are playing top-class cricket right now. But the way Indian team is playing in ODI format, I have no doubt that they will be able to defend the title. The advantage that India will be having is that they will be spending more than two months in Australia prior to the World Cup," Laxman said.

"They will have a good opportunity to get used to the conditions that they are going to confront in the World Cup," he said.

Laxman also feels that India's success in the tour to Australia will largely depend on the youngsters' ability to acclimatise themselves to the bouncy pitches there.

"It will be a great opportunity for the young team to showcase their talent and potential. It will be a highly competitive series but I'm sure that the players have got the potential to do well," he said.

"It will be very important to get used to the bouncy and fast wickets of Australia and once they get used to it, I'm sure they will do well," Laxman added.