Krishnamachari Srikkanth. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Cricket enthusiasts saw the most nerve-jangling final in the 2019 edition of the ODI World Cup. Hosts England got the better of New Zealand by virtue of boundary count as the two teams were inseparable after the Super Over. The 2023 ODI World Cup will begin on October 5 with the last edition’s finalists taking each other on in Ahmedabad.
The excitement is palpable among the cricket fans as they wait for 99 more days before the showpiece event commences. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who was part of India’s World Cup-winning team in 1983, recently revealed his favourites for this year’s event. He picked hosts India, five-time champions Australia, and defending champions England as his three favourites. The former India opener praised the Australian team and lauded their past performances in India.
“India are 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 told India Today.
One of the most aggressive openers of his time, Srikkanth, hailed England for their positive approach to the game, irrespective of the format.
“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.”
I would say Australia are better favourites than England as far as playing in India is concerned: Kris Srikkanth
The 63-year-old picked Australia as better favourites to win the World Cup ahead of England. Srikkanth pointed out that a lot of Australian players take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and therefore, they are better prepared for Indian conditions.
“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.