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The ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 has witnessed Team India’s exceptional performances, leading many to speculate about their potential victory in the tournament. Former Australia cricket legend Ricky Ponting, known for his insightful analysis, shared his perspective on India’s chances in the World Cup.
India’s strong start in the tournament
Team India embarked on their global showpiece event journey with remarkable victories over formidable opponents, including Australia, Afghanistan and arch-rival Pakistan. These early successes have catapulted the Men in Blue into the limelight as serious contenders for the coveted title. India are no stranger to World Cup glory, having secured the championship twice before, in 1983 and 2011.
India as favourites
Critics and cricket enthusiasts alike have positioned India as favourites to clinch the championship title, particularly given their home-ground advantage. Ponting aligns with this sentiment, acknowledging India’s status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.
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Ricky Ponting’s assessment of India’s world cup prospects and the pressure factor
Ponting emphasized that, ultimately, India’s performance in the World Cup hinges on their ability to handle pressure. Cricket, especially in a high-stakes event like the World Cup, can be mentally taxing.
“I said from the start that I think they’re going to be the team to beat. They’ve got a very talented team. They’ve got all bases covered with their fast bowling, their spin and their top-order, middle-order batting. They’re going to be extremely hard to beat. But we’ll see how they hold up under extreme pressure as well,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the ICC.
India’s upcoming match against Bangladesh
As India progresses in the CWC 2023 , their upcoming game against Bangladesh in Pune on october 19 looms as a critical juncture in their campaign. How they perform in the coming fixtures will significantly influence their path in the tournament.