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In the ongoing ODI World Cup, Team India have been nothing short of exceptional, securing victory in all six of their matches. As the sole unbeaten team in the tournament, they recently defeated England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow in their sixth league match.
Sourav Ganguly optimistic amidst Hardik Pandya’s injury
Despite the concerns surrounding Hardik Pandya‘s inability to participate due to an ankle injury, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly remains optimistic. He expressed unwavering confidence in the depth and strength of the Indian team. Notably, Hardik suffered an ankle injury during a clash against Bangladesh in the 17th match of the ODI World Cup 2023. The incident sent ripples of worry through the team, and he was promptly taken off the field.
“India is a fantastic team and has lots of backup,” said Ganguly as quoted by India Today.
Ganguly had initially identified England as a formidable contender in the World Cup. However, he pointed out that their performance has been underwhelming up to this point in the tournament.
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Ganguly reveals India’s real challenge
When questioned about the potential challengers for India in the knockout stages, the former BCCI President shed light on India’s real challenge in the ODI World Cup. He emphasized that while the league stage is comparatively easier, the true test awaits in the knockout stage.
Ganguly stated, “I had initially chosen England for the semi-finals, but their performance has been below expectations. The championship is still a long way off. The league stage is relatively easier, but the real challenge lies in the knockout stage. Australia and South Africa are both strong teams that could potentially pose a challenge to India.”
