Can India Do The Unthinkable?

Can India Do The Unthinkable, Can India Win 2023 World Cup, Can India Win World Cup 2023, Who Will Win the World Cup 2023 Title?

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Can India Win 2023 World Cup?

The 2023 ODI World Cup was expected to be a tight affair. There were 4-5 sides who fit the bill of being worthy contenders for the title. England being the defending ODI and T20 champions were an outright favourite. Australia, the most successful World Cup team was also one of them. Hosts India too were on everyone’s top 3. Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand were the other 3 teams touted to battle for the top 4 spot. 

A one-sided World Cup:

There have been only a handful of games that have gone down to the wire in this World Cup. Teams have largely posted comfortable victories over their opponents. It started with New Zealand trouncing England in the opening game. Most high profile games this World Cup have been one-sided affairs. Teams have adapted to different playing surfaces resulting in such lopsided contests. It has played a major role in only a few teams contesting for the final two spots in the semis. 

India’s chance at the start of the tournament:

In a tournament like the ODI World Cup there are no easy games for teams. The foot has to be on the pedal always. India was one of the favourites for the title being the home team. But games against sides like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa were meant to be 50-50. These teams have had a favourable record against India in ICC tournaments across World Cups. India could have easily slipped up against any of these teams with even sides like Afghanistan and Bangladesh capable of producing an upset.

The unprecedented dominance:

India started their campaign with a hard-fought win over the mighty Aussies. They were hardly tested in the games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. India triggered a stunning Pakistan collapse to extend their ODI World Cup record over them to 8-0. Their first real challenge came up against New Zealand. 

Daryll Mitchell is the only batsman to score a hundred against India in this World Cup. His partnership with Rachin Ravindra was threatening to take the game away from the Indians. But some quality death overs bowling ensured India kept the total in check. The chase was bumpy but India prevailed without any hiccups. India had won all of their first 5 games chasing.

The art of defending totals:

England wanted to upset India’s familiar template and put them into bat on a tough Lucknow wicket. India scraped their way to 229. But Indian seamers put on a masterclass to bowl England out for just 129. Sri Lanka repeated the same mistake and inserted India in.

The batters made merry posting 357 and later rattled the Lankans out for just 55. In the table top contest against South Africa, India once again made it a no-contest once they posted a score of 326. They dismissed the Proteas for just 83. India is the only unbeaten side in the competition with 8 wins out of 8 games. Their NRR of 2+ is easily the highest. 

Can India do the unthinkable?

Only three teams have won the World Cup without dropping a single game. West Indies (1975-79) and Australia (2003-07) did it twice. Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup staying unbeaten. They were helped with a couple of teams forfeiting the games against them owing to political reasons.

India in the 2023 World Cup has looked like the Australian team of the 2000s who used to turn up and beat opponents. Can they maintain their composure and win the World Cup without losing a game? Their style of play in the semis and the finals will answer this question!