The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is just around the corner, and all eyes are on the host nation India, who are aiming to lift their third World Cup trophy and the second on their home soil. India have a formidable squad, led by the charismatic Rohit Sharma, and have been playing some excellent cricket in the recent past. But what are the factors that can help India achieve their dream of winning the World Cup at home? Here are some of the key aspects that India need to focus on to emerge victorious in the mega event.
1. Home advantage: India have a tremendous record at home, having lost only three ODI series in the last 10 years. They are familiar with the conditions, pitches, and venues, and can exploit them to their advantage. They also have the support of their passionate fans, who will cheer them on in every match. India have won the World Cup at home before, in 2011, and will be hoping to repeat that feat in 2023.
2. Rohit Sharma's form: The Indian captain is one of the best batsmen in the world, especially in white-ball cricket. He has scored six centuries in World Cups, equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record
. He also has the most ODI double hundreds (4) and the highest individual ODI score (264). Rohit is in sublime form, having scored 648 runs in the 2019 World Cup and leading India to the Asia Cup title in 2023. If he continues his run-scoring spree, he can break several records and lead India to glory.
3. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling: The Indian pace spearhead is a lethal weapon in any format of the game. He has the ability to bowl fast, accurate, and yorkers at any stage of the innings. He is also a master of variations, such as slower balls, cutters, and bouncers. Bumrah has been India's leading wicket-taker in ODIs since 2016, with 115 wickets in 68 matches. He was also instrumental in India's 2011 World Cup triumph, taking 21 wickets in nine matches. Bumrah can be the difference-maker for India with his bowling prowess.
4. Virat Kohli's experience: The former Indian captain and current vice-captain is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He has scored over 25,000 runs in international cricket, with 70 centuries and 111 half-centuries. He is also one of the four Indians to have scored over 1,000 runs in World Cups. Kohli has been a part of two World Cup campaigns, in 2011 and 2019, and knows what it takes to perform at the highest level. He can provide valuable guidance and mentorship to the younger players and also contribute with his batting brilliance.
5. Team balance and depth: India have a well-balanced and deep squad, with players for every role and situation. They have a strong top-order, with Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli. They have a solid middle-order, with KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya. They have a versatile lower-order, with Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, and Shardul Thakur. They have a potent bowling attack, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav. They also have quality bench strength, with players like Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy. India have all bases covered and can adapt to any situation.
India are one of the favorites heading into the World Cup 2023, as they have a strong team, a passionate fan base, and a home advantage. They have also shown consistency and dominance in ODI cricket in recent years. However, they will also face tough competition from other teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands and Zimbabwe. India will have to play their best cricket and overcome any challenges that come their way to win their third World Cup at home.