Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has declared the host nation as the front-runners to clinch the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. With a perfect record of three wins in three matches, India stands tall at the top of the Points Table, leaving cricket enthusiasts and experts alike in awe of their prowess.
India’s campaign in the World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular, with notable victories over strong opponents such as Australia, Afghanistan, and arch-rivals Pakistan. With their sights set on securing their third World Cup title, following their triumphs in 1983 and 2011, the Men-in-Blue are displaying remarkable form and resilience on the grand stage.
Ponting’s words, “I said from the start that I think they’re going to be the team to beat,” ring loudly in the cricketing world. The former Australian captain’s praise stems from India’s comprehensive skills and preparations. With a well-rounded team boasting exceptional fast bowlers, spinners, and formidable top and middle-order batting, India appears to have covered all bases, making them a formidable force in the tournament.
Ponting, however, issues a word of caution, highlighting the inevitable pressure that comes with such a prestigious event. He noted, “They’re going to be extremely hard to beat. But we’ll see how they hold up under extreme pressure as well.”
One of the highlights of India’s journey in the World Cup has been their thrilling encounter with Pakistan, where they secured a convincing seven-wicket win. Rohit Sharma’s dazzling performance with a remarkable 86 runs, coupled with India’s excellent bowling attack, was pivotal to their success.
Ponting also shed light on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy style, describing him as a laid-back personality both on and off the field. Despite the magnitude of the tournament, Ponting believes that Rohit will handle the pressure admirably. He stated, “He’ll take it and cope with it as well as probably anyone.”
Rohit Sharma has been leading the Indian ODI team since December 2021, taking over the reins from Virat Kohli. Ponting expressed his confidence in Rohit’s leadership, emphasizing that his calm and composed demeanor makes him an ideal captain for India in all formats of the game.
In contrast, Ricky Ponting noted that Virat Kohli’s passionate and emotional approach may not suit the role of captain in the same way. He emphasized, “Someone like Virat, who is a bit more heart-on-the-sleeve, and probably listens to the fans and plays up with the fans a little bit more, someone with his personality would probably find it a bit harder.”
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