Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has expressed his belief that the International Cricket Council (ICC) could provide favourable pitch conditions for Team India in the upcoming World Cup 2023, with an aim to maximize viewership and sponsorships.
ICC’s Potential Support for India:
In a recent discussion, Sehwag shared his insights, suggesting that the ICC might assist India by having pitches prepared by Indian groundsmen. He stated, “The ICC will also help India. The wickets will be prepared by Indian groundsmen. When India play the semi-final or the final, the pitch will be prepared according to India. So, I feel we have a very good chance to win the World Cup. The ICC knows that if India stay till the end, they will benefit immensely in terms of viewership and sponsorships.”
Sehwag’s perspective is rooted in the idea that India’s presence in the latter stages of the tournament would lead to increased interest from fans and sponsors, ultimately benefiting the ICC.
Virat Kohli’s Potential Impact:
During the conversation, Sehwag also weighed in on India’s batting prowess in the World Cup and predicted that Virat Kohli could emerge as the team’s top performer with the bat. He emphasized Kohli’s hunger for runs and suggested that the former captain might be motivated to make this World Cup memorable for fans, given the possibility that it could be his last ODI World Cup.
Sehwag remarked, “Virat Kohli is hungry to score runs. I don’t see that same hunger in any other batter. He would be thinking that Rohit Sharma hit five centuries in the last World Cup, so this time it could be his World Cup. He is a big-match player. If he isn’t there for the next World Cup, he would surely want to make this one memorable for his fans.”
As one of the most prolific batters in modern cricket, Kohli’s performances in the 2023 World Cup will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
It’s worth noting that Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin are the only two players in India’s 15-member squad who were part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad. While Kohli is currently 34 years old, his fitness and form suggest that he may continue to represent India in future editions of the ODI World Cup.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Sehwag’s insights provide an intriguing perspective on India’s potential journey and the impact of key players like Virat Kohli.
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