Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan reckoned that India is one of the firm favourites to win the World Cup in 2023. Back in 2011, when India co-hosted the mega event along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, they won the trophy after beating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
In fact, since 2011, the host nations have got their hands on the coveted trophy. Muralitharan, whose last international match was against India in the final 12 years ago, also sounded eager to watch the World Cup match between the hosts and England.
“I am looking forward to India vs England. India is one of the favourites because they are playing at home and they know how to win in India. This is going to be a very interesting match and I want to watch it,” Muralitharan was quoted as saying to Star Sports.
Former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag, said that the pitches in the World Cup are most likely to assist the teams from the sub-continent. The Nawab of Najafgarh also mentioned that Afghanistan could fall short because of their weaker batting compared to their bowling.
“The pitches will favour the sub-continental teams. India and Sri Lanka have good spin attacks. Afghanistan do not have a great batting line-up but they have very good spinners. In 2011, the two best teams came to the final and the better team won,” Sehwag said.
India’s first match of the World Cup is against Australia on Sunday, October 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The marquee clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (NewsWire)