Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said senior batter Virat Kohli will be the team’s go-to man in the World Cup along with captain Rohit Sharma. He also opined that both star cricketers will have to stand up for the team on the big stage. The 2023 World Cup will take place in India from October 5 to November 19.
In an interview on Revsportz’ show Backstage with Boria, Ganguly said: “Virat is playing very well. He has looked very good in the last few months and and will be India’s go to man along with Rohit Sharma. Rohit as captain is playing his first and last World Cup (ODI).”And he too has a superb record in World Cups. Five hundreds in the last World Cup, where he was brilliant. So both of them will have to stand up for India.”
While Kohli has scored 1030 runs in 26 World Cup games so far at an average of 46.81, Rohit has scored 978 runs in 17 games, averaging 65.20. Meanwhile, Team India speedster Jasprit Bumrah recently made a comeback from a back injury after a 11-month layoff as well.
“I am not really worried because he has done that in the past as well. The break will actually mean he is fresh mentally and with some games under his belt he will have some bowling done.”He is a fantastic bowler. One of the best ever. And he along with (Mohammed) Shami will be fantastic for India,” he added.
Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has also stated the Indian team to not think about reaching the World Cup final at the start of the tournament and focus on one game at a time as well. However, India will begin their 2023 World Cup campaign by playing against Australia in Chennai on October 8.
“You won’t win all finals. But then you need to make it to the final first. 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. For the World Cup, it is the same,” he said.
He also stated that while Australia are a very good side, they are not the same as the dominant 2003 team that lifted the World Cup in South Africa as well.
“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,” Sourav Ganguly concluded. “India will always be favorites 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.”
