India to meet expectations of its fans in ODI World Cup 2023
In the year 2011, India lifted the coveted ICC Men’s ODI World Cup trophy. Now after 12 years, the number one ranked ODI team will have a great chance to add a third World Cup trophy to its cabinet because India has got all the talent, experience and support in the World to do it.
Rohit Sharma led team India won Asia Cup 2023 just last month and the team is no short of confidence especially when playing in home conditions where they play in absolute dominating spirit. India’s record in ODIs at home speaks for itself, they have won 18 off 21 series play at home in last few years.
However, an ODI World Cup is no easy challenge even for a team playing in home conditions. When a team has likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill playing together, it is expected that they will play dominating cricket because their resources allow them to do so.
Despite dominating cricket in bilateral series, India has fell short of their dreams in in World Cup tournaments. Since 2015, they have played semi-finals of every ICC World Cup tournament: 2015 ODI World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup, 2019 ODI World Cup, 2020 T20 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup.
For a team, it must be heartbreaking to get so close yet remain so far. In 2019 World Cup, India won its all group stage matches but when it came to knockout stages, they appeared fragile and the biggest names couldn’t get the job done for India when it mattered the most.
It is said that the fans are 12th man of Indian cricket team. However, often the team has seen the ferocious side of its fans –from burning posters and personal attacks– when fans felt they were let down by the team full of superstars. That’s why they call it a billions’ dream.
“India will have pressure of playing in home conditions,” Usman Khawaja
While speaking on Fox Cricket, Usman Khawaja shared his views on India’s chances in ODI World Cup and how big will be the factor of playing in home conditions. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword,” Khawaja told to Fox Cricket.
“They literally have the most pressure in the world. They have the biggest following in world cricket. The pressure on them day in day out is massive, so if they stumble, if they lose a game, if they’re on the ropes, I know the fans can turn real quick.”
“When the pressure cooker comes later on in the tournament when it’s knock-outs, or even at the start, if something doesn’t go right, they’re going to have a lot of pressure on them, so they’re going to have to do everything right.”
Australia Ticks All Boxes Before ODI World Cup 2023
Within last 6 months, Australian players have played a plenty of cricket in India. They toured for 3 match ODI series twice then adding to that, the IPL experience for their players will count more to their assesment of Indian playing conditions.
During 2011 ODI World Cup, India had the upper hand because for other teams, the conditions were still new and also, the mindset of teams has drastically changed. What comes to India’s favour is that last 3 ODI World Cup tournaments have been won by the host nations.
India will start its World Cup journey against Australia on October 8 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium stadium, Chennai.
