As I write this from Delhi, the entire nation is anticipating India opening match against Australia on Sunday. We are aware of the high expectations when India plays at home, but the team must attempt to adapt. England won the World Cup on its own country four years ago, Australia won in Australia in 2015, and we won the World Cup here in 2011. India has a great chance to win the World Cup in front of their own supporters, and I have faith that they will succeed.
I’m confident in that for a number of reasons. We have a really strong bowling lineup that can bowl effectively under the given circumstances. The addition of Ravi Ashwin, who was a member of our 2011 championship team, brings expertise to the group. It is also crucial to have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj back in the lineup following their injuries. Our pace attack works well together, and Bumrah in especially is looking more put together right now. He has made a full recovery, and he is a key player in this World Cup.
Virat Kohli will serve as the show’s host and try to bat through the overs with the bat. Additionally, we have an excellent starting duo. In one-day international cricket, Shubman Gill averages above 60, and Rohit Sharma has struck three double centuries, including five during the most recent World Cup. We can easily score a lot of runs if the top three bat for 25 to 30 overs.
The team will feel more confident after winning the Asia Cup, but the World Cup will put different strain on them. India wishes to win this prize as a nation. In addition, it differs from 2011. Social media wasn’t nearly as prevalent back then. Every player will feel that pressure these days since every player has Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
However, they must disregard that because they are professional sportsmen and focus on enjoying the World Cup, playing in front of these supporters, and thriving off the support. They only need to enjoy each and every game since Diwali will soon be here and there will be many celebrations. Particularly in the later rounds of a World Cup, one error might result in elimination. They must be extremely concentrated, mentally tough, and comfortable with this format.
The game on Sunday in Chennai will be fantastic. Australia is a very strong all-around squad and a five-time champion. Most of their players have participated in the IPL, thus they are familiar with the Indian players and the wickets.
India will be hard-hit by Australia, and everyone wants to get off to a good start, but it isn’t always achievable.
Take a look at England; they appeared to be on track to score 340/350, but they kept losing wickets, making it easy for New Zealand to chase it down. That demonstrates the level of this World Cup.
In my own experience, any World Cup match between India and Australia brings back the stress-filled quarterfinal from 2011. The current champions and favorites to win it again were Australia.
When [MS] Dhoni was out, we were chasing 261 and I joined Yuvraj Singh at 187 for five. Me and Yuvi knew we had to stick with it, assume responsibility, and play the game, not the circumstance. You need to be at your best when playing the defending champs in the quarterfinal, and we were.
Before I took the field, I was seated next to Sachin [Tendulkar] in the stadium, which was packed with yelling and chanting supporters. He advised me to get outside, run hard, maintain composure, and breathe. Since I had previously played 100 ODIs at the time he said I could do it, I was confident in my ability to execute those important hits. Let’s do it for India, I thought while being cool and collected.
I’m hoping for a similar outcome this weekend, but I do believe Australia will also contend for the prize. They, New Zealand, England, and India, in my opinion, are the key competitors; but, don’t discount Afghanistan.
If they can score 260-290, their spinners, who can bowl 30 overs incredibly well, can turn the game in two overs. They are a cohesive squad with courage and play with delight. They have some solid all-around batsmen, and they play with a goal in mind. I believe they will astound everyone.
But this weekend, I’ll be concentrating on India. I am looking forward to seeing how this team responds to the challenge and am anticipating a classic between two top-tier squads.
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