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Ravichandran Ashwin (Source: Twitter)
The ODI World Cup 2023 will be held in India, a lot of cricketers current and former have tagged India as favourites ahead of the World event. Eoin Morgan said that India could repeat history and clinch the World Cup as they did in 2011. Ravichandran Ashwin however put the issue in a different light and said that the favourites tag would have huge implications going into a world event.
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“I know people around the world of cricket will keep saying India are favourites. In fact, all the cricketers around the world will use this as a strategy and say India are favourite before every World event. They use this strategy to reduce the pressure on themselves and put extra pressure on us. India could be one of the favourites,” Ashwin said on his Youtube channel.
If India loses the World Cup, fans cannot be blamed- Ravichandran Ashwin
“But Australia are also a powerhouse. We spoke about the second ODI loss in Barbados. I mentioned that we should back Team India and send them pressure free to the World Cup. Most of them agreed but some of them were like, ‘Looks like he is already being cautious about what will happen if Team India doesn't win and blaming everything on the fans'." Ashwin added.
"See we should realise that one cannot shift the blame on the fans. I also understand. What I meant was that fans are the most important stakeholders of the team. Fans can change the entire vibe of a cricket match. Every time the home team is having that momentum, it will be really difficult for the away team when the support is huge. That is exactly what I am saying. See, right from the moment the other teams reach the airport or hotels, I know we are always welcoming as hosts and we should be loud and clear,” he further elucidated.
India last won a world event way back in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni in England. Since then India have not won a world event for nine years. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be hoping to break the jinx at home and put a smile on the Indian fans.