Former Indian pace bowler S Sreesanth believes India’s top order of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will help India win the 2023 World Cup. However, the trio have been in sublime form recently, with Rohit smashing three back-to-back fifties in the Asia Cup and Kohli scoring his 47th ODI century against Pakistan as well. Gill, meanwhile, hit a purple patch, scoring 302 runs in the Asia Cup and continuing his form in the ongoing ODI series against Australia.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Sreesanth said: “Virat Kohli will be up there in the top 3-4 run-getters. Virat, Rohit, and Gill will all be there as they will win the World Cup for us. Shubman Gill (on who will be the highest run-scorer in World Cup). The way he has performed has been brilliant and he can attack the spinners as well in these conditions. People will talk about technique but for me, the fact that his hunger and not being satisfied even after a hundred is what makes him special. Even in the IPL when he missed a hundred he said that there were many games to go and he proved it.”
READ MORE: Virat Kohli shares the importance of maintaining diet
However, Sreesanth also backed left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to end up on the top of the wicket taker’s list in the World Cup. Notably, Kuldeep has been in great form over the past few months and he will certainly try to continue that as well. India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8.
“Kuldeep Yadav (on who will be the highest wicket-taker in the World Cup). I believe he will keep on doing well for the rest of the year too. He has to remember the hard work that he has put in after he went out of the team and continue to do it even now when he is playing,” he again stated.
However, he also feels Hardik Pandya can play a role similar to that of Yuvraj Singh this time and could potentially win the award this year as well.
READ MORE: “Can be the future captain of India” – Kiran More on Ruturaj Gaikwad
Sreesanth said: “Yuvi Paaji did it for us so if you look at the Man of the Series award and if you think an all-rounder should do it then Hardik Pandya could be close to that award. He will be important for India. Kuldeep Yadav can also win it or be among the top three contenders if he keeps shattering records in the World Cup. Don’t forget Hardik’s fastest hundred. Don’t forget Bumrah’s two five-wicket hauls. Kuldeep Yadav will bowl the best spell ever seen by an Indian spinner.”
Sreesanth also predicted the finalists of the World Cup in Ahmedabad – India and New Zealand which will be played on November 19. The Kiwis beat India in the 2019 World Cup semifinal and the former India speedster believes India will avenge that defeat now as well. “I feel it will be India and New Zealand in the final. We will take revenge of the 2019 World Cup and hopefully do something similar to the 50-all-out against Sri Lanka. I am pretty positive and as Indian fans everyone should think about India winning,” he concluded.
