Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the onset of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, set to commence on October 5. The inaugural match will witness defending champions England squaring off against the 2019 World Cup first runners-up, New Zealand, in Ahmedabad. Simultaneously, the host nation India will initiate their campaign on October 8 in Chennai, clashing with Australia. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has voiced his preference for England as the potential winners of the impending World Cup.
Gavaskar underscored that the squad led by Jos Buttler possesses an imposing bowling lineup and boasts three “world-class all-rounders” capable of altering the course of a game.
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How to Catch the Excitement of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup warm-up matches .
“The defending champions, England, are my current favorites due to the exceptional talent they have at the top of their batting order, featuring two or three world-class all-rounders who can make a difference with both bat and ball. They also possess a highly adept and seasoned bowling unit,” Gavaskar remarked during an appearance on Star Sports.
In contrast, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan voiced his endorsement for Team India, affirming that the hosts are fulfilling all the necessary criteria and are among the frontrunners in contention for the prestigious ICC trophy.
“I am eagerly looking forward to India’s performance, and I genuinely believe they stand as one of the top contenders, particularly in light of their recent accomplishments in series such as the Asia Cup and their remarkable performance against Australia in home conditions. The consistent outstanding performances of their players are noteworthy. Even when a player of Mohammed Shami’s caliber, a world-class bowler, is not consistently part of the playing 11, it underscores the depth and resilience of India’s squad,” Pathan commented.
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In preparation for the World Cup, Team India is slated to engage in their initial warm-up match against England on Saturday in Guwahati.
