Former England cricketer, Stuart Broad has lauded India’s prowess, asserting their superiority over Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023 final, stating India’s potential to win 95 out of 100 times. India’s current World Cup showing surpasses any prior displays of dominance.
Despite their underdog status in the victorious 1983 campaign, their 2011 favorite label didn’t ensure flawless performances, unlike the current Rohit Sharma-led squad’s seamless run.
“India are so powerful in their own conditions that I would say they would win this final 95 times out of 100. You only need to look down their line-up to gauge their strength: they’ve got a top six all of whom can score match-winning hundreds, while any of their bowlers can take a five-for. They’re the only team in the World Cup that you can say that about,” Broad penned his thoughts in a column for Daily Mail.
Despite facing setbacks, Team India, as per Coach Rahul Dravid, adapted to their ‘plan B’ midway through the tournament due to Hardik Pandya’s injury. However, even this secondary strategy has proven superior to most opponents in the World Cup. Now, their ultimate challenge lies against Australia, historically formidable in ICC tournaments despite occasionally entering finals as the second-best team, setting the stage for an intriguing clash.
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India winning the World Cup is a bit like Brazil winning football’s equivalent: Broad
India’s top-order runs, middle-order centuries, powerplay wickets, and strong fielding showcase their comprehensive performance. Broad, renowned for his 600+ Test wickets alongside James Anderson, emphasizes India’s aura of certainty in clinching this World Cup. Comparing it to Brazil’s dominance in football or Usain Bolt’s speed in the 100m race, he underlines the perceived inevitability of India’s triumph, reflecting their exceptional prowess on the cricket field.
“India winning the World Cup is a bit like Brazil winning football’s equivalent. There is a bit of magic to it. An Indian victory is the most marketable outcome for the sport — comparable to when Usain Bolt used to line up for the 100 metres. All of athletics’ stakeholders wanted him to win because it leads to bigger sponsorship, bigger TV rights, greater exposure for the sport,” the former pacer added.