The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is all set to commence from October 5 in India, with defending champions England facing New Zealand in the tournament opener. The mega ICC event will see a total of ten teams compete against each other for the coveted trophy.
With less than two months left for the World Cup to kick off, fans are very much excited about the event. The fever has even reached many veteran cricketers as they are coming up with bold predictions and picking up the strong contenders who can lift the World Cup trophy this year.
India’s former skipper Sourav Ganguly has also revealed his choice and picked five teams that he thinks have a high chance of becoming the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 champions.
Don’t rule New Zealand out
Ganguly named Australia, England, Pakistan, New Zealand and India as his five picks. However, the 51-year-old’s list did not include the South African team.
“I presume Australia will be one, England, Pakistan, and don’t rule New Zealand out… But if you ask me my best 5 at the moment, it’s Australia, England, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan,” said Ganguly on the sidelines of the promotional event.
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Sourav Ganguly addresses India’s no. 4 woes:
Ganguly further talked about India’s search for a perfect No. 4 batter and said that India has plenty of options in the form of talented young batters like Tilak Varma, Ishan Kisan and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the marquee World Cup event.
“Who said we don’t have a No. 4? We have so many (batsmen) who can bat at that spot. I think differently; my mindset is different. This is a fantastic side. I see Tilak Varma as an option, being a left-hander,” Ganguly addressed India’s no. 4 woes.
“It has to be a team of experience and people who don’t have any scars — like Jaiswal, Varma, Ishan Kishan. They can go and play fearless cricket. Rahul (Dravid), Rohit and the selectors have plenty of choices; they just have to identify and pick the best XI,” added the India veteran.
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