Preparations for 2019 WC should start immediately: Borde

India should start preparing for the 2019 World Cup in a diligent manner similar to the way in which the triumphant Australians did for the just-concluded edition, feels former Test cricketer and ex-chief selector Chandu Borde.
"It's four years away. But have you noticed the way Australia prepared themselves? (Captain Michael) Clarke was not fit to play the first few matches and they gave the captaincy to (George) Bailey and not (Steve) Smith who led them to victory in the preceding Test series against India," Borde told PTI today.
"This shows how well they had prepared themselves. They had decided in advance that if such contingencies arise, who should lead. How nicely they had done it. This is how we should prepare ourselves," said Borde.

The 80-year-old Borde, who played 55 Tests between 1958 and 1969, pointed out that Bailey was benched soon after Clarke got fit, an indication of the victorious Australians' bench strength.
"After playing and winning a few matches, Bailey was removed from the team because Clarke was back. See their thinking and how they had prepared for the tournament. It also shows their bench strength is solid and thoughtful.
"In similar manner we have to prepare ourselves. We also need to plan big right from now and how we should go about it. We don't know what will happen in a couple of years from now, whether the current players will be available or not. The ground work should start now," he remarked.