Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked Australia as one of the favourites to win the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. He said that although India will be the favourites but the Pat Cummins-led side are a powerhouse and can win the title.
ICC World Cup 2023 to begin on 5th October
The ICC World Cup 2023 is just a few months away from now. The tournament will take place in India from 5th October with a blockbuster clash between England and New Zealand and the final is set to be played at the largest cricket stadium Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 19th November.
The schedule of the ICC World Cup 2023 is out and it’s fair to say that an enthralling month of cricket will be on offer. Some minor changes are expected to take in the schedule but the venues will be the same and as many as 10 venues will be hosting the biggest carnival in India.
A total of 48 matches are likely to take place throughout the tournament and the teams in India, Australia, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands will be clashing with each other to win the title.
With India being the host, it’s fair to say that they will be the hot favourites to win the tournament whereas Australia will also be among the candidates to clinch the title as they have been one of the finest teams going in the world cricket.
India has won the title two times, whereas Australia has won the title 5 titles. The Aussies defeated India in their own backyard in 2003 in the Final to lift the title and Indian fans surely would want to forget it.
Ravichandran Ashwin picks Australia as hot favourites to win ICC World Cup 2023
With World Cup just a few months away from now, Ravichandran Ashwin touted Australia as one of the hot favourites to win the tournament. He said that Australia uses the strategy of India as favourites against them and to put pressure on them. He explained:
“Going into the ODI World Cup, Australia are one of the favorites. I know people around the world cricket will keep saying India are favorite — in fact, all the cricketers around the world will use this as a strategy and say India are favorite before every ICC event.
“They use this strategy to reduce the pressure on themselves and put extra pressure on us. India could well be one of the favorites, but Australia also are a powerhouse.”
Australia have named their preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 as well. Here’s the team:
Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
