It's been a decade since Team India last won an ICC title. 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, many feel that the Rohit Sharma-led team has a great opportunity to end the global title drought in home conditions.
The 50-over World Cup, featuring 10 teams, is slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
Speaking to Revsportz on Backstage With Boria show, former skipper Sourav Ganguly spoke at length about India’s chances in the upcoming ODI World Cup.
“India will always be favourites on home soil. They have a very good side and if the fitness of the players are on track, they will always have a very good chance in home conditions. It will depend on how they play during the tournament and how the fast bowlers perform but that’s for everyone so as I said, India in home conditions will always have a strong chance,” Ganguly stated.
The highly-anticipated India versus Pakistan clash in the 2023 World Cup will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on October 14.
Having played against Pakistan in the World Cup, Ganguly understands the significance of this match.
“It is a huge game. Always was and always will be. You have realised how important it is in the context of the World Cup. I used to treat it very much like an India Australia, India South Africa contest. I used to get into the mindset that it is still the red ball or the white ball you are up against and prepare myself like that. You can’t let the occasion get to you because that’s when you tend to lose focus,” he opined.
Ganguly went on to claim that players say India versus Pakistan is just another game to manage pressure while it is not.
“No its not. You have to prepare yourself that way. That’s how you manage pressure. Some manage and some don’t manage. In my tenure we had a great record against Pakistan but this time round it will be a more competitive game. Last year after Pakistan beat India in Dubai things have changed. Pakistan is also a very good side and it is amazing how they keep churning out extraordinary talent. But playing India in India, playing India in Ahmedabad and playing India in front of 110,000 fans is a very different thing.”
The Men in Blue will open their World Cup campaign against five-time champions Australia at Chepauk on October 8.
“Australia are a very good side but they are certainly not the same Australia of 2003. India have done well against Australia in big tournaments, India beat Australia in the 2019 World Cup for example, and have the side to do well against Australia. While this Australian team is very good, it isn’t the same as in 2003,” Ganguly said.
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India lost the T20 World Cup semi-final to England last year and also suffered a crushing 209-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the WTC 2023 final.
“You won’t win all finals. But then you need to make it to the final first. So you need to break things down. First you need to play well and win the majority of the nine games to be able to make the final. Don’t think about the final at the start of the tournament. It is much like batting. When you go into bat don’t think of the 100. Get to 50, 60, 70 and then when you get to 90 that’s when you think of the 100. For the World Cup, it is the same. First, play well and get to the final. Once you are there that’s when you plan for the final and try and win it,” Ganguly remarked.
