Yuvraj Singh, hero of India's victorious campaign in the 2011 World Cup, is expecting "special performances" from all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the 2019 edition, beginning May 30.
Pandya is back to his best, at least with the bat, following testing times which saw him serve an interim suspension.
The 25-year-old has been in remarkable form this IPL and his Mumbai Indians teammate Yuvraj hopes that he extends his explosive run to the 50-over mega event.
"I was actually having this conversation with him (Hardik) yesterday where I told him that 'you have a great chance of performing really well with the ball and bat', the kind of form he is in at the moment.
"Definitely, the way he is batting at the moment, it is phenomenal and I hope he carries that form (into the World Cup). He has been bowling well in patches but as I said it is all about how you handle the pressure," said Yuvraj.
Pandya has been in the form of his life and Yuvraj said that his 91 against the Kolkata Knight Riders was the best IPL innings he has seen.
"It is probably the best shape as a batsman to get in. I have been watching since the practice games, he was hitting the ball really well. I had told him 'it is going to be a special tournament for you, the way you are hitting the ball'," said the southpaw.
"Over the years, as an experienced player you know if someone is hitting the ball well, he is in great shape. He got 91 from 34 balls against KKR, probably that is the best innings I have seen in the IPL just because he hit four quality bowlers he was batting against.
"When you are doing that, you know that someone is batting very well," added Yuvraj, who is known for hitting six sixes in the 2007 edition of WorldT20 in South Africa.
The man of the tournament of the 2011 World Cup also backed Virat Kohli-led India, hosts England and Australia to do well in the mega event.
"My first two teams are England and India. Obviously with (David) Warner and (Steve) Smith coming back, Australia will be in contention. West Indies also looked a very power-packed side. You can't say much at this stage. I think it would be India and England first, third would be Australia. Fourth I don't know," said Yuvraj.
He also backed chinaman Kuldeep Yadav to do well in the World Cup.
"I don't asses T20 cricket (form) over 50 over (cricket). I think Kuldeep has been a fantastic bolwer for India and I'm sure he will bounce back quickly. He has been very effective against England, South Africa, Australia," said Yuvraj when asked whether Kuldeep's current form in the IPL was a concern ahead of the World Cup.