Cricket News: Ravi Shastri shares prediction on the Indian cricket team if they don’t win the ongoing 2023 ODI World Cup
Former Indian player, coach, and current commentator Ravi Shastri has shared a bold prediction regarding Team India if they don’t go on and win the 2023 ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma’s team has been utterly dominant, winning all nine of their group games quite comfortably. There is no better time than now for India to bury the ghosts of their performances in ICC knockouts over the past decade, with their last triumph being the Champions Trophy in 2013.
Speaking to the Club Prairie Fire podcast, Shastri said that this is India’s best chance to break the drought given how well the team is playing in home conditions. They reached the semi-finals in both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, but they weren’t as dominant as they have been in 2023.
“This country is going mad. The last time they won it [the World Cup] was 12 years ago. They have an opportunity to do it again. The way they are playing, this is probably their best chance,” he said.
If India miss out now, they will probably wait for another 3 World Cups to win it – Ravi Shastri
Shastri said the team is at their peak. Every player in the top five has hit at least one century in this World Cup bar Shubman Gill who has a score of 92. Also, the bowling attack has been outstanding, with both the pace bowlers and spinners delivering the goods.
“If they miss out this time, they would probably have to wait another three World Cups for even thinking of trying to win it,” Shastri said. “The pool of players are such the 7-8 players are at their peak.“
“This could well be their last World Cup. The way they are playing, given the conditions, they have got the team to win it.”
Shastri was particularly praiseworthy of the bowling attack. Each bowler has made an impact in this tournament, making it very difficult for opponents to get on top in any phase of the innings.
The pace trio have been magnificent. Jasprit Bumrah’s numbers are out of this world. He is conceding less than three runs per over in the powerplay and just 3.65 overall with 17 wickets to his name. Mohammed Shami has 16 wickets at an extraordinary average of 9.56, and Mohammed Siraj has improved as the tournament has gone on with 12 wickets at 28.53.
It doesn’t end there. Ravindra Jadeja conceded just 3.97 per over and took 16 wickets across nine matches. Kuldeep Yadav is not far behind with 14 wickets at an impressive average of 22.28 and economy of 4.15.
“It is extraordinary and it [the pace bowling revolution] has taken time; it has not happened overnight. They have been playing with each (of them) for four to five years. Siraj joined the party three years ago,” said Shastri.
“They know the kind of areas to hit on a consistent basis. They know it is not important to look flashy when you bowl. It is more about consistency and getting the ball in the right areas.”
Shastri also believes this India attack is the best ever since white-ball cricket began 50 years ago. He believes their control of length is the secret, with the short ball used as a surprise.
“In this World Cup, they have bowled hardly any short balls. if there is a short ball, it is used as a surprise weapon. 90 per cent of the time they have been targeting the stumps like you must do in India hitting those three-quarters lengths,” Shastri said.
“Because of their seam positions, they are getting the ball to nip around and that is causing a lot of problems. It is the best attack in 50 years ever since white-ball cricket started.”
India will take on New Zealand in the first Semi-Final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 15 November.
