India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev said that how the Rohit Sharma-led side cope with the pressure of being the hosts and expected to win the upcoming ICC event at home will play a major factor in how they perform in the World Cup 2023.
Two-time champions India will be keen to add another World Cup title to their cabinet after a hiatus of 12 years, as the ICC World Cup 2023 will be played from October 5 to November 19. India last won an ICC trophy in 2013, when MS Dhoni lifted the Champions Trophy in England.
However, Kapil Dev said that India will enter the ICC World Cup 2023 as obvious favorites.
“I don’t know how it will pan out. They are yet to announce the team for the World Cup. India will always enter a tournament as favorite as it has been the case for a long time. It’s all about how the team comes to terms with the expectations from all sides.
We have won a World Cup at home, and I am sure the team, whoever gets selected, can do it again. A World Cup is coming in four years, and I hope the players will be fully prepared,” said Kapil at the launch of the Golf Fitting Centre here at the Karnataka Golf Association.
Kapil said workload and injury management should be given due care considering the amount of cricket the players are involved in this era. Kapil Dev, who played for India in 131 Tests and 225 ODIs, never missed a game owing to an injury.
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However, in recent times, multiple Indian players, especially bowlers have broken down, namely, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Prasidh Krishna to name a few.
“My time was different as we hardly played so much cricket. Now, these players are playing some 10 months of cricket. So, managing your body is important to keep away from injuries. Everybody’s body is different and they would require individual plans to preserve their fitness,” said Kapil.
He also spoke about the current state of the West Indies side, which failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, despite winning the first two editions of the tournament in 1975 and 1979.
“It is painful to see the West Indies not playing in the World Cup. It is tough to imagine an ODI tournament without them. They have produced such great players. I don’t know what is hurting them now but, hopefully, they will make a comeback,” the legendary all-rounder signed off.
(PTI inputs)
