India to start its quest for the third World Cup. World Cup 2023 is underway and already cricket lovers witnessed blistering matches between New Zealand vs England, and South Africa vs Sri Lanka. Even Afghanistan and Bangladesh locked horns. While New Zealand started their campaign by knocking off the defending champions England emphatically, Bangladesh sailed past Afghanistan while South Africa created a sensation by scoring the highest number of runs in the World Cup and winning the match against Sri Lanka.
Today marks the start of Men In Blue, India's campaign in the World Cup. India will start its campaign by taking on the formidable team Australia. India which already won two world cups in 1983 and 2011 will be starting the campaign as the home favourites. With Rohit Sharma, who presented Mumbai Indians, his IPL team the most number of trophies, expectations are high and fans are confident that Rohit will present India another world cup.
Australia is no sitting duck as it won five world cups. India has a historic head-to-head record of 4-8 against Australia in World Cups, reflecting the intense rivalry between these cricketing giants on the global stage. The Australian cricket teams have consistently demonstrated their ability to dominate and intimidate their opponents in the grandest cricketing spectacles, securing a remarkable tally of 5 World Cup titles.
However, when it comes to memories of playing Australia in Chennai, there is a touch of nostalgia mixed with regret for Indian cricket enthusiasts. The lone World Cup encounter at the iconic Chepauk stadium in 1987 ended in heartbreak for India. A stellar performance by Geoff Marsh, who scored a century, propelled Australia to a total of 270 runs. In a nail-biting finish, India fell just one run short, scoring 269. It remains etched in the memory of fans as a match that slipped through India's fingers.
Nevertheless, India enters the highly anticipated opener against Australia with a renewed sense of confidence, having recently triumphed over them in a 3-match ODI series just last month. The victory provides a glimmer of optimism, but Captain Rohit Sharma remains cautious, understanding the historical significance of Australia's performances in World Cups.
Rohit Sharma's leadership underscores the importance of not placing too much emphasis on recent successes. He acknowledges that Australian teams have consistently risen to the occasion in World Cups, making them formidable opponents. As such, he and the Indian team remain fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead and are prepared to give their best in this marquee clash.
As cricket fans eagerly anticipate this thrilling encounter, it's clear that history and statistics are just a part of the narrative. The true essence of the sport lies in the passion, determination, and unpredictability that each match brings, and the clash between India and Australia promises to deliver all of that and more.
As India prepares for their opening match, they find themselves facing a couple of pivotal decisions, primarily stemming from the absence of the in-form opener, Shubman Gill, who is likely to miss the game on Sunday due to a positive dengue test. Although head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma have refrained from definitively ruling Gill out, it appears that they are leaning towards a cautious approach, prioritizing Gill's health over rushing him back onto the field, even if he feels better on matchday.
In Gill's stead, the versatile Ishan Kishan emerges as the likely candidate to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Kishan has showcased his mettle as an opener and has diligently prepared for this role, undergoing rigorous training sessions, including an extended net practice on Friday.
The remainder of India's batting lineup virtually selects itself, with the triumvirate of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, all demonstrating excellent form leading up to the tournament.
India's tactical considerations may lean toward deploying three spinners, a tempting prospect given local talent R Ashwin's recent inclusion as a last-minute replacement for the injured Axar Patel. Ashwin's experience and spin prowess make him a compelling addition to the XI, particularly on subcontinental pitches.
In contrast, Australia faces its own challenges, with Travis Head unavailable for the first half of the tournament and Marcus Stoinis likely sidelined for the opener due to a hamstring issue. Nevertheless, Australia's formidable pace triumvirate is expected to reunite, while all-rounders Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell will be pivotal to their campaign. Maxwell, who also provides spin options, showcased his prowess with a four-wicket haul in the last ODI against India last month, indicating his readiness for the World Cup challenge.
As both teams weigh their options and tactical approaches, the stage is set for a compelling clash in the tournament opener. The absence of key players on both sides adds an element of intrigue, making it a contest to watch for cricket enthusiasts around the world.