Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked hosts India as one of the favourites to win the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 which begins on October 5. The last time the ODI World Cup was played in Asia, India won the tournament by defeating Sri Lanka in the final on home soil in 2011.
Since the 2011 World Cup, the host nations have got their hands on the prestigious trophy for three consecutive times. Australia won the World Cup in 2015 when they co-hosted with New Zealand and England won the trophy as hosts in 2019 beating New Zealand in a close encounter to win the championship under the inspiring leadership of Eoin Morgan.
In a video shared on his youtube channel, Aakash Chopra feels that India is the favourites to win the World Cup on India and recalled the hosts’ nations’ performance in the recent ICC events and believes that the home team will have an advantage in doing well for the team as they can utilize the home conditions to put memorable performance for the team
“India are the favorites. Because it is happening at home, they will definitely be the favorites and if you see the last three World Cups – Australia won in Australia, England won in England, and before that India won in India.”
“It is absolutely right for the home team to be the favorites because we have seen the home team win the last three 50-over World Cups. So, of course, India are one of the favourites,” Aakash Chopra said.
In recent years, India’s performance in ICC competitions has been really disappointing. They have not won an ICC title since MS Dhoni led the team to glory in the 2013 Champions Trophy. The Men in Blue will be one of the favourites for the tournament and will be desperate to lay their hands on the trophy.
I Feel You Might See These Four Teams Playing In The Semi-finals – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra has picked Australia, India, England, and Pakistan as the four teams, who can make it final four of the mega event. Cricket experts Virender Sehwag and Glenn McGrath have picked the same four as the semifinalist for the World Cup.
“They (India) are the frontrunners but apart from them, the three other semi-finalists could be Pakistan, whose ODI team is very good England, and Australia. I feel you might see these four teams playing in the semi-finals,” Aakash Chopra added.
will be desperate to end their long wait for an ICC title, whereas England will look to defend their title on the away soil after winning a dramatic final in 2019, whereas Pakistan will also look to put up a fine show in the sub-continental conditions and Australia has experienced team to do well in the mega event later this year.