But former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid can play vital roles in ending India’s ICC title drought.
The ICC 2023 World Cup is about to kickstart on October 5 and India will kick off their marketing campaign towards five-time champions Australia in Chennai. It has been 10 years since India’s ICC title drought and the final time they gained a World Cup was in 2011 underneath Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s management.
Former BCCI president Ganguly believes that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid can flip issues round for India within the marquee occasion.
“Pressure will always be there. When they played before also, there was pressure. Rohit Sharma has five centuries in the last ODI World Cup. I am sure there must have been pressure on him then also. Pressure is not a problem. I am sure they will find a way to succeed. During Rahul Dravid’s playing days, there was pressure to perform, and now that he is the head coach, there is pressure on him to deliver. That will not go away, and I don’t think pressure is an issue,” mentioned Sourav Ganguly whereas talking to Revsportz.
Sourav Ganguly believes within the management of Rohit Sharma as he has led Mumbai Indians to 5 Indian Premier League titles and has additionally led India to Asia Cup 2018 win.
“Just win it. He has won five IPLs, which is not easy also. So hopefully, he can do it for India in this World Cup,” mentioned Ganguly.
“I hope so. We are extremely happy to have five matches at the Eden Gardens. I must thank the BCCI and Jay Shah for giving us the semi-final. I had spoken to him, and I am sure the Cricket Association of Bengal must have spoken to him a number of times about the matches. Eden Gardens is a great venue – 60-70,000 capacity, and that also plays a huge role. We will upgrade it to around 100,000 in the next two years. Extremely happy because the World Cup is a big event, and Eden has hosted big matches in the past also,” Ganguly mentioned on Eden Gardens internet hosting World Cup matches.
Other than Team India, Ganguly selected Australia, England and New Zealand to make it to the semi-final giving Pakistan additionally an opportunity to make it. But he needs an India-Pakistan semi-final on the Eden Gardens.
“It’s very hard to say. Australia, England, India. You can never underestimate New Zealand in these big matches. I will pick five, and include Pakistan also. Pakistan better qualify so that we will have the India-Pakistan semi-final at the Eden Gardens (laughs),” Ganguly mentioned.
The man who led India to World Cup remaining in 2003 is shocked to see two-time champions West Indies failing to make it to ICC World Cup 2023.
“Shocking and an eye-opener for West Indies. It is important for them to look after their international cricket because a lot of their players just go away to play T20 cricket around the world. So, they will have to look at this aspect carefully. They will have to look at the quality, and that is very, very important,” expressed Ganguly.
With companies inputs
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com