With just two months remaining until the commencement of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, excitement and anticipation are building as former players and commentators share their predictions and insights. As the hosts, India enters the competition with an advantage, having previously claimed victory in the World Cup in 1983 and 2011. However, they are yet to win an ICC title since 2013.
Australian fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath believes India is among the favorites due to their home conditions. Playing on familiar pitches and in front of passionate home crowds can give the Indian team a significant boost, making them a formidable force to reckon with. McGrath’s confidence in India’s chances stems from his own experiences, having won the title three times with the dominant Australian teams led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
“You wouldn’t be surprised that I’m putting Australia in that four. Obviously, India are playing in their own conditions. England is playing some great cricket and Pakistan is also playing fine. So, they are the best four,” McGrath told the Times of India.
Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who led England to their first-ever World Cup title in the previous edition, also considers India a strong contender. Alongside England, Morgan places India at the top of his favorites list. With their strong squad and experience in big tournaments, India is expected to make a deep run into the competition. Morgan also emphasizes the threat posed by Australia and Pakistan, acknowledging their strength and potential to lift the trophy.
“When it comes to the business end of the tournament, I have no doubt England will be there, I have no doubt India will be there. And the other teams I would probably see potentially lifting the trophy are Australia and Pakistan, two very very strong teams, and two contenders when it comes to big competitions,” Morgan had told WION.
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“As far as possible, we are looking at not changing the venue as well as the matches. Not changing the venue is very important. Teams with six-day gaps between matches, we are trying to reduce it to four-five days; and those with just two-day gaps, we are trying to increase to three days,” he stated.
The tournament, set to commence on October 5, will open with the defending champions, England, facing New Zealand in a rematch of the 2019 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, there have been discussions regarding the schedule as the International Cricket Council (ICC) considers revising it. BCCI secretary Jay Shah reveals that the venues of matches will remain the same, but the gaps between games may be adjusted.
