Are Asia Cup champions India favourites for ODI World Cup 2023?

Team India are one of the favourites to unseat England as ODI World Cup champions. The Men in Blue sealed a record-extending Asia Cup title after seeing off top teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka with aplomb.

Many commentators believe India are well on course to mount a challenge against other teams tipped to win the ODI World Cup 2023. As the event approaches, fans believe India could produce a remarkable feat to get an ICC trophy after over a decade.

Ex-Skippers Weigh In On The India ODI World Cup Favourites Conversation

Kapil Dev

Former India skipper and ODI World Cup winner Kapil Dev believes India’s solution to the no. 4 problem holds a vital key to their aspirations in this tournament:

“I think if we come in top 4, that is more important. You can’t say, right now, we are favorites. Our team is very good. We have to work very hard. I know about my team. I don’t know about other teams…Indian team is ready to play and win the Championship,”

Injuries to key players in some departments and poor suitability of other stars to these roles could be a problem. India seems to have shrugged off doubts concerning their readiness at the Asia Cup, and fans are hopeful that they claim this year’s world cup to amass cricket glory.

Nasser Hussain

Former England captain Nasser Hussain weighed in on this debate with these comments:

“They’re favorites but they’re not clear favorites because of the amount of quality sides there are. If you look at their squad, they have two of the greatest white ball batters to ever play the game in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They have a potential future great in Shubman Gill and Bumrah coming back is fantastic news. So if you look at their batting and bowling, it’s right up there among one of the best squads.”

Hussain also commented on India’s squad depth and how it could affect their chances compared to other teams.

“An area where they lack is if you look at the batters, they don’t bowl and the bowlers don’t bat. So the side has a different make-up to England and Australia with all the allrounders,”

India ODI World Cup 2023 Squad

1. Rohit Sharma (c) – captain Sharma is a serial winner and one of the most-decorated players in IPL history,
2. Hardik Pandya (vc) – Hardik Pandya is vice captain and was one of Team India’s most reliable players at Asia Cup 2023,
3. Shubman Gill – The skilled batsman continues to impress in his national team’s colors and could make a difference in this tournament,
4. Virat Kohli – The legendary Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter brings his massive experience and skillset to the Men in Blue,
5. Shreyas Iyer – The talented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player relies on immense gameplay knowledge and skills, making him one of this team’s best stars,
6. KL Rahul – The star cricketer could be India’s saving grace with his versatile skills and impressive game knowledge,
7. Ravindra Jadeja – He played a pivotal role at the Asia Cup 2023 and is on India’s list to replace his heroics on the world stage,
8. Shardul Thakur – He would hope to perform at a higher level than his Asia Cup 2023 stint,
9. Jasprit Bumrah – One of India’s most reliable players in crunch match situations is on the list,
10. Mohammed Siraj – His explosive gameplay and ability to catch skilled batters off guard is a clear advantage to Team India,
11. Kuldeep Yadav – One of Team India’s most experienced players makes a comeback to the starting squad at a major ICC tournament,
12. Mohammed Shami – He will hope to shrug off his poor performances at Asia Cup 2023 in the ODI WC,
13. Washington Sundar – A late Asia Cup 2023 injury to Axar Patel gives Sundar the opportunity to impress at the ODI World Cup,
14. Ishan Kishan – A versatile batter with immense skills beneficial to Team India,
15. Suryakumar Yadav – Yadav’s backup role at the Asia Cup 2023 could prove useful in the bulkier ODI World Cup schedule

India Full Round-Robin ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule