Former India captain Sourav Ganguly recently named five teams who can win the ODI World Cup 2023 in India and he didn’t pick South Africa in his list. The marquee event will start from October 5th at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the final match will be played on November 19th as well. However, less than 50 days left for the most awaited tournament.
Sourav Ganguly said on the sidelines of a promotional event, “I presume Australia will be one, England, Pakistan, and don’t rule New Zealand out… But if you ask me my best 5 at the moment, it’s Australia, England, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan. Who said we don’t have a No. 4? We have so many (batsmen) who can bat at that spot. I think differently; my mindset is different. This is a fantastic side. I see Tilak Varma as an option, being a left-hander.”
“It has to be a team of experience and people who don’t have any scars — like Jaiswal, Varma, Ishan Kishan. They can go and play fearless cricket. Rahul (Dravid), Rohit and the selectors have plenty of choices; they just have to identify and pick the best XI,” the veteran again added.
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The first match of the ODI World Cup 2023 will take place between England and New Zealand. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will begin their campaign on October 8th against Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as well. Sourav Ganguly also backed Yashasvi Jaiswal to be in the upcoming World Cup squad.
“I have been reading in newspapers that we don’t have a number 4 yet. Who said we don’t have a number 4? We have so many who can bat at number 4. Obviously, I see it differently, my mindset is different. This is a fantastic side. And I don’t say this because I’m on-air and I will be reported tomorrow morning. Team which has Rohit Sharma, Kohli, and Shubman Gill. Now, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be fit. I saw Bumrah bowling at almost 90 miles an hour the other day in the nets. Mohammed Shami, Jadeja. How can the team be unsettled?” Sourav Ganguly said during an event.
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“It’s just that they have played new players in the West Indies and you will see by the time World Cup come in when they pick the team, it will be a top side. And I keep saying that it’s all about how you play during the tournament. India will always be the favourites and as I said how Rohit Sharma, Pandya, and Dravid take the team on the ground is very very important. I want to see the young left-hander also on the side, at the top of the order. Yashasvi – he has got enormous ability and he is fearless,” he concluded.
