Kevin Pietersen picks transformed England and India as favourites to win

A “transformed” England under the leadership of Eoin Morgan and India are the top two favourites but “dark horses” Australia and “unpredictable” West Indies too have bright chances of lifting the World Cup, says Kevin Pietersen.

Asked to predict the winner, Pietersen, former England captain, said: “India and England are probably the favourites. But the “dark horses” are Australia and the “unpredictables” are West Indies.”

The ICC World Cup begins today with England taking on South Africa in the opening game at the Oval cricket ground. Pietersen, who palyed alongside Morgan in the past, was all praise for the current skipper for rejuvenating and transforming the present day English team.

Giving credit to the current captain Eoin Morgan, Pieterson said “ he has transformed them. I’m not surprised because years ago i sat with him on the train and we talked about how we need to play positive cricket.”

“Its just beautiful to see the way English players are playing at the moment. Its something that makes me very happy, to see them fully committed to their strokes, the way they dont fear failure, and how they are allowed to fail, the way they are backed,” he added

Pietersen, 38, hopes England can cope with the pressure of expectation as they are playing on the home turf and also hopes that the England team will achieve their first World Cup glory.

“I’m not sure putting all the eggs in one basket is the smartest move. Because the common man still loves Test cricket,” he said at the official tournament opening ceremony.

“ I mean you guys have already said that they are winning the World Cup,” Pieterson told the press.

“ That’s the problen. I got back to England on Tuesday, and i have seen that England has alraedy won the World Cup! According to you guys there is a lot of pressure and i know, as i have been part of that whole syndrome."