CWC 2023: Mithali Raj says “big opportunity” for India to win the ODI World Cup in home conditions

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

It's been a decade since Team India last won an ICC tournament. After MS Dhoni led the side to a Champions Trophy triumph in 2013, India have lost as many as four ICC event finals and bowed out in the semi-finals on numerous occasions.

With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 around the corner, former India women’s team skipper Mithali Raj on Sunday (August 27) said that the Rohit Sharma-led side has a great opportunity to lift the coveted trophy in home conditions later this year.

The 50-over World Cup, featuring 10 teams, is slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

“As an Indian cricket fan, I would want India to play in the final. It is a big opportunity. We are the host nation and the conditions are in our favour.

“If they (team) do well, we will get another opportunity to lift the World Cup,” Mithali, who was in Srinagar to witness the Women’s Premier League final, told reporters.

India’s last ODI World Cup triumph came in 2011 when MS Dhoni and his men clinched the title playing on home soil.

Before the 2023 World Cup, the Men in Blue have Asia Cup and the three-ODI series against Australia at home to finalize their playing combination.

Last week, the BCCI men's selection committee unveiled India’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023, slated to be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan from August 30 to September 17.

While KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer made a return to the team after a lengthy injury hiatus, Sanju Samson was picked just as a backup option and promising left-hander Tilak Varma earned his maiden ODI call-up.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2 while they will take on Australia in their World Cup opener at Chepauk on October 8.

(With PTI Inputs)