The excitement for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is increasing with every passing day. The quadrennial event will be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
With one and a half months remaining for the showpiece tournament, experts are back with their opinions.
Former England skipper Eoin Morgan has also joined the bandwagon, opining that hosts India are strong contenders to win the 50-over World Cup followed by defending champions England.
Morgan, who led the Three Lions to the 2019 World Cup triumph, also mentioned Australia and Pakistan in his list of semi-finalists.
"England are a very good team. I will rate them second favourites after India but only just. India on home soil is the favourite and are a very good team. That's been the case for all of the last few world cups. India in 2011, Australia in 2015, England in 2019 and India again in 2023. But Jos Buttler and his team has some fantastic batsmen and bowlers and their talent will make a big difference come the business end of the tournament,” said Morgan while speaking to Revsportz on the show Backstage with Boria.
“If you ask me to pick my best four, I will add Australia and Pakistan to the mix. With the matches spread across all parts of the country, it will be a real Test and these four teams have the maximum depth and versatility," he added.
Morgan also showered rich praise on Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills, calling himself a fan of the Indian captain.
"I have always been a fan of Rohit Sharma the captain and leader. If you see he has the ability to carry his team with him and also has the team to do extremely well in the world cup. Having spoken to a number of players in his team, I know Rohit commands a lot of respect among the group and is a really good leader of men. Even when he wasn't captain I am sure he made a difference in the change room and was a key influence. Much like I think Virat Kohli is now in the change room and that's another major plus for India going into the world cup. Kohli who played and won the world cup in 2011 on home soil will make a major difference to Rohit in the Indian change room," he stated.
Hailing Virat Kohli as one of the greatest ever, Morgan said he wouldn't want to face the former India skipper in a big stage like the world cup.
"He is a phenomenal player. One of the best ever and one of the greatest I have seen. And the best thing about Kohli is the way he conducts himself off the field as well. He loves the big stage and if you are an opponent you don't want to face him in a big stage like the world cup for you know he will stand up and deliver for his team. He has this ability to make the big occasions count and we have seen that with him many times in the past,” Morgan stated.
“Again, he is a leader in that group and his presence in the change room will make a big difference to Rohit Sharma. Also, there will be players who feel the nerve and with Kohli around there can be nothing better for them. He will give them the confidence they need and is a massive player for India in the world cup. He harnesses all of the energy and hype around big games and uses all of it to make a difference. Very few players in my generation could do that. And he will want to win. He is that type of competitor and has that type of focus. He will want to lift that trophy," he explained.
(With ANI Inputs)
