Bevan picks India to win World Cup

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Former Australian all-rounderMichael Bevan has picked India as one of the favourites to winthe World Cup starting next month in the sub-continent.

Bevan, who has been roped in by Kings XI Punjab as theirchief coach for the fourth edition of the Indian PremierLeague, said Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys have it in themto lift the trophy on April 2.

"India is performing as a team, as a unit. One would haveto say that they have come up great as a team. There is somuch potential in these boys," said Bevan.

"They are the number one Test side in the world, secondin one-day internationals. India have got the capacity to leadworld cricket for a long time," the 40-year-old Belconnen-bornformer left-hander said.

India have won the World Cup only once in 1983 and wererunners up in 2003. In 2007, they were knocked out in thefirst round.

The World Cup begins on February 19 with India taking onBangladesh in the opening tie in Dhaka.

Bevan has also been appointed chief coach of the OrissaRanji Trophy team recently and the Australian hoped he wouldbe able to deliver the goods with his vast experience andknowledge of the game.

"With proper coaching and guidance, I hope to deliver theresults. They are a good side and I will be fine-tuning theirskills," said Bevan, one of the world''s all-time bestfinishers.

Bevan will be in charge of the team from October 2011 toFebruary 2012.