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'Everyone is like, can India end ICC trophy drought?': Ashwin boils at 'ridiculous' debate ahead of 2023 World Cup
Ravichandran Ashwin addressed the social media buzz over India's ICC title drought ahead of the home World Cup.
The schedule for the 2023 ODI World Cup was announced earlier this week, with hosts India taking on Australia in their opening match of the edition. The side's blockbuster clash against Pakistan takes place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15; Team India will be aiming to end over a 10-year drought for an ICC title, with the 2013 Champions Trophy being its last bit of success in an ICC event.
It was a Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side that lifted the Champions Trophy title at the time; incidentally, Dhoni was also India's last World Cup-winning captain, leading India to win in 2011. Over 12 years later, the marquee tournament returns to India and hopes are high from Rohit Sharma and co. to bring the trophy home.
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However, even as India are considered among favourites for the title, many doubt if the side can end the trophy drought come November. In the last two World Cups, India lost in the semi-finals; last year, Rohit Sharma's side lost in the T20 World Cup semi-final to England and earlier this month, India missed out on another opportunity to win an ICC title when it faced a big defeat to Australia in the World Test Championship final.
India's off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, though, believes that the side has a “great chance” to win the title this year. Ashwin, on his official YouTube channel, stated that India start as “favourites” in the home World Cup
“In fact, we went into the 2019 World Cup as strong favorites. But all the teams have had equal chances during every ICC event. If you ask me, any cricket match starts 50:50. But India do start as favorites ahead of this 2023 World Cup,” Ashwin said.
"Of course, the whole social media buzz will be about whether India will be able to get an ICC trophy. We have been following this theme for so many years now of asking, "Can India end the ICC Trophy drought?" If you ask me, this is ridiculous, guys.
“India is a strong team. Except for a few factors, India has a great chance this time around.”
The off-spinner, who isn't a part of the ODI team at the moment but remains a Test regular, further reiterated that the day/night matches should start at “11:30 AM or 12 PM” to negate the dew factor.
"But one thing that I wished for when it comes to the timing of the tournament didn't materialize. I wanted all the games to start at 11.30 AM or 12 PM to completely negate the dew factor. See, this World Cup will take place in October.
“Will there be a chance of dew during this time? Usually, the World Cup won't take place during this period. Even in 2011, it took place just before the summer. It started in Feb and ended in the first week of April and later, we had the IPL that year,” stated the off-spinner.
