ICC World Cup 2023 : The Hosts Seem Unbeatable But …

India appears to be the firm favourites for this edition’s world cup if conditions are to be believed. However, statistics tell the other tale. Out of twelve editions of the cup so far only in 1996 (Sri Lanka as co-hosts), 2011 (India), 2015 (Australia) and 2019 (England by virtue of the weird rain rule) the hosts were successful in making their crowds happy.

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India’s climb to the cricket world is a fairy tale when in 1983 Kapil’s Devils stunned the planet by dethroning the mighty West Indies and clinching the trophy. They started in 1987 as one of the favourites unfortunately to lose to England in the semi-finals at Bombay (now Mumbai) .  In 1992 and in 1999 they played some poor cricket as a result of which they couldn’t make even to the semi-finals. In 1996 although the team did make it to the semis but their performance was way below par. Due to “God” Sachin Tendulkar’s dream performance with his willow the team made it to the title clash before succumbing  to the mighty Australians in the 2003 edition. Tendulkar amassed a total of 674 runs in that tournament to clinch the player of the tournament award.  Team India again disappointed the fans by making an early exit in the 2007 edition. God’s wish was fulfilled when India led by captain cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the team to the winner’s podium in 2011. This was incidentally the last ODI world cup for “God” Tendulkar and the entire team took and fulfilled the pledge of winning the World Cup for God’s sake. India played some good cricket in 2015 as well as in 2019 World Cups but unfortunately their run were halted in the semis.

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Lead by Rohit Sharma, the batting looks rock solid with Virat Kohli, young guns Shubman Gill, Surya Kumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and all rounder Hardik Pandya in the batting line up.  Bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj whereas there are Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal to take up the responsibility of the spinning department.

At least on paper the team seems to be an unbeatable one but will the momentum keep going? It’s for the time to answer.