Last week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the complete fixtures for the 2023 ODI World Cup, slated to be held in India.
The quadrennial event will get underway on October 5 with England versus New Zealand clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
As the countdown begins for the showpiece tournament, the fans and experts have started picking the favourites and key players for different teams.
In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly named five teams that could be in contention for a semi-final spot at the 50-over World Cup and remained hopeful about a clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens in one of the semi-finals.
"It’s very hard to say [teams that could make the semi-final]. Australia, England, India. You can never underestimate New Zealand in these big matches. I will pick five, and include Pakistan also," Ganguly stated.
"Pakistan better qualify so that we will have the India-Pakistan semi-final at the Eden Gardens," he added.
Last month, India endured a heavy 209-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval.
This result meant India's underwhelming record in ICC tournaments continued, with their last victory coming way back in 2013.
Ganguly hoped that the Men in Blue would end the ICC trophy drought this time around.
“We don’t perform well sometimes, in crucial phases," Ganguly said. "I don’t feel it is mental pressure, but all about execution. They are mentally strong people. Hopefully, they will cross the line soon.”
"At least we qualified to the finals of the WTC, which is also an achievement. And yes, we have a chance. We have got good players, plenty of them. Hopefully, we will do it this time."
The last time India hosted a Cricket World Cup, they ended up lifting the coveted trophy. Asked if skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid will be under pressure with the home World Cup around the corner, Ganguly said it won't be an issue.
"Pressure will always be there. When they played before also, there was pressure. Rohit Sharma has five centuries in the last ODI World Cup. I am sure there must have been pressure on him then also.
"Pressure is not a problem. I am sure they will find a way to succeed. During Rahul Dravid’s playing days, there was pressure to perform, and now that he is the head coach, there is pressure on him to deliver. That will not go away, and I don’t think pressure is an issue," he opined.
India will begin their ODI World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8.
