India’s 1983 World Cup-winning opener Kris Srikkanth has predicted hosts India, Australia, and England to be the favorites for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Srikkanth feels these three teams have strong sides and they will have the best chance to go all the way in the tournament.
India hosted the World Cup in 2011 and had gone on to win their second title. Ergo, the home team will be looking to replicate the same and make the most of their own conditions.
On the other hand, England will be looking to defend their World Cup crown as they won a thrilling final against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup. Furthermore, Australia also has a solid ODI team and they will be looking to deliver in the big event.
Kris Srikkanth said on India Today, “India is one of the favorites. Let’s be honest, there is an Australian team, which is also a very good side, and England has been very good.
“I believe that Australians play well in India, too. I would say India, Australia, England, out of these three, one of them will probably win the cup.”
Srikkanth also lauded England for backing their aggressive approach, which is reaping them rewards in all three formats of the game.
“They have started attacking the bowling right from the beginning, be it Test cricket, T20 cricket or one-day cricket. Their methodology has changed from the loss in the 2015 World Cup.
“We’ve seen it in the 2019 World Cup, and you see the Ashes Test series going on now. Even there, it was close match (at Edgbaston), though England lost.”
In fact, Srikkanth, who was known for his aggressive style of batting added Australia will be more favorites than England as their players are used to playing in the Indian conditions.
Srikkanth added: “I would say Australia are better favorites than England as far as playing in India is concerned. Lot of these Aussies play T20s, the IPL in India, so they are used to Indian conditions.
“But yes, lot of England players are also playing and getting used to Indian conditions. That’s why I say, one of these three countries (India, England, Australia) …” Srikkanth added.
England and New Zealand will play the curtain-raiser of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on October 5.
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