Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran off-spinner has said that the Australia Team is the top contender to win the upcoming edition of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Ravichandran Ashwin consistently presents the multifaceted dimensions of cricket through his distinct lens. A rare cricketer who devotes as much introspection to the intricate aspects of the sport as he does to his on-field performances, Ashwin’s viewpoints often steer away from the usual narratives. Once again, this unconventional approach comes to light as he introduces an intriguing layer of thought in anticipation of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
He proposes a notion that rival teams strategically designate India as the frontrunner for victory, thus relieving themselves of the burden of expectations. According to Ashwin, this orchestrated maneuver aims to shift the pressure onto a team like India, which routinely carries monumental hopes on its shoulders.
The imminent ODI World Cup, set to kick off on October 5, holds a unique context. Unlike previous instances of co-hosting with subcontinental counterparts in 1987, 1996, and 2011, India stands alone as the host this time. Given the historical pattern of host nations clinching victory in the last three editions—India in 2011, Australia in 2015, and England in 2019—there’s a logical basis for considering the Indian team as a strong contender.
Ashwin also acknowledged that Australia holds a formidable position and is likely to be one of the favorites in the tournament.
“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,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
According to Ashwin’s assessment, Australia’s expertise in the cricketing landscape is distinctly highlighted by their dual victories in recent times—their inaugural T20 World Cup triumph in 2021 and their subsequent conquest of the World Test Championship, where they overcame India in the final showdown.
In preparation for the marquee tournament, Australia has already revealed its preliminary 18-player squad for the upcoming World Cup. Within this group, promising newcomers like the uncapped leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and versatile all-rounder Aaron Hardie have surfaced. Nevertheless, the omission of Marnus Labuschagne remains a perplexing aspect worth pondering.
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