As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the upcoming World Cup, former India captain Sourav Ganguly is brimming with optimism about India’s chances if they maintain their current form and continue to play “good cricket” over the next 45 days. With cricket fever reaching its zenith worldwide, the Men in Blue are riding high on confidence after their victory in the Asia Cup and a successful ODI series against the five-time World Champions, Australia.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Team India is set to enter the 2023 World Cup as the No.1 ranked ODI team, adding to the expectations and excitement surrounding the tournament.
Sourav Ganguly, speaking to reporters, emphasized the significance of this year’s World Cup and praised India’s exceptional performance in the lead-up to the event. He remarked, “This is going to be a big World Cup. The World Cup is a big tournament. India has been playing very well, so it is a matter of delight. We hope that they continue to play the same good cricket for the next 45 days.”
India’s batting lineup is bolstered by the return to form of several key players, including Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, just ahead of the prestigious tournament. Shubman Gill, in particular, showcased superb form during India’s ODI series against Australia, accumulating a total of 178 runs throughout the series. After recovering from injuries, both Rahul and Iyer made remarkable comebacks and notched up centuries.
Additionally, the role of Jasprit Bumrah, who recently made his comeback to the national side following a back injury that sidelined him for nearly a year, will be pivotal to India’s World Cup prospects. Bumrah’s fitness and performances will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining India’s success in the tournament.
Before commencing their World Cup campaign, India is scheduled to play two warm-up matches. The first warm-up match is set to take place on Saturday against England at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, followed by a clash with the Netherlands on October 3 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
India’s official World Cup campaign will kick off with a highly anticipated clash against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. The tournament’s pinnacle, the high-voltage encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, promising an electrifying showdown that cricket fans around the world eagerly await.