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SPORTS OCTOBER 13, 2023 | The Indian Eye 46

ICC WORLD CUP 2023

Team India ready to give everything

at the biggest cricket show on earth

In the past 13 years, the host nation has lifted the World Cup and it all started in 2011

when the Indian team led by MS Dhoni bagged the decorated accolade in style

OUR BUREAU ed 286 on the board and Haris Rauf-
led pace attack registered an 81-run
Mumbai/Ahmedabad/Hyderabad
victory.
Halfway through the chase in the
ndian skipper Rohit Sharma has second innings, Netherlands looked
asserted that the ‘Men in Blue,’
Iwho are riding high on confi- comfortable in the chase maintaining
a run rate of just over 5 and still hold-
dence and are one of the favourites, ing seven wickets in their hand.
will give their everything in the World Vikramjit Singh and Bas de
Cup. Even though the Indian team is Leede dominated Pakistan bowlers
entering on the back of a hot run in during this phase but Shadab Khan’s
the ODI format, being the host will arrival in the attack changed the
likely bring the much-needed luck complexion of the entire game.
factor to them as well. He broke the 70-run partnership
In the past 13 years, the host na-
tion has lifted the World Cup and it by dismissing Vikramjit for 52 and
on the other end Haris Rauf sent
all started in 2011 when the Indian Teja Nidamanuru and skipper Scott
team led by MS Dhoni bagged the Edwards for scores of 5 and 0 respec-
decorated accolade in style. “Not tively.
thinking too much about on that stuff Mohammad Nawaz sent Bas
but yeah in last 3 editions hosting de Leede back to the dugout for 67
teams won the World Cups and we which allowed Pakistan to take con-
will give our everything in this World trol over the game.
Cup and enjoy the tournament,” Ro- After Leede’s wicket Pakistan’s
hit said in the World Cup 2023 Cap- victory was just a matter of time as
tain’s Day event. their collective bowling effort guided
“People are going to love this
tournament. The stadiums will be them to a comfortable 81-run victory
by restricting Netherlands to 205.
jam-packed. Indians love their crick- Earlier in the innings, After Pa-
et. It is going to be a great tourna- kistan’s top order which included
ment,” Rohit added skipper Babar Azam failed to give
He went on to talk about India’s Indian skipper Rohit Sharma
lack of preparation time due to both the ‘Men in Green’ an ideal start,
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Sha-
warm-up games being washed out keel prevented their innings from
without a single bowl being bowled. the guys are looking pretty good,” nai on Sunday. falling apart with scores of 68 each.
However, Rohit said they are aware Rohit added. Pakistan open campaign Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab
of their current position since they The experienced skipper also in style with victory over Khan’s cameos in the final 10 overs
have played a decent amount of ODI talked about what it means to be a Netherlands took Pakistan to a competitive total
cricket before the tournament. leader and the responsibilities that of 286.
“Not really. We were happy to come along with the title and said, akistan on Friday kicked off
get those days off. Looking at heat, “I had to work on a lot of things. To their World Cup campaign in a Rahul Dravid drops major
and stuff like that. We have been be a leader, you need to understand Pdominant fashion at the Rajiv update on Shubman Gill
playing a lot of cricket of late. We your teammates, their strengths and Gandhi International Cricket Stadi-
played 4 games in the Asia Cup and 3 weaknesses and give them the free- um here with a victory over the Neth- ndia’s men’s cricket team head
against Australia. We know where we dom to go out and play. Our job is erlands. coach Rahul Dravid provided a
are at. I would’ve loved to play those to make sure we lay that platform for Pakistan have never tasted de- Imajor update on Shubman Gill
two games. But can’t do too much them and then it’s their job to go and feat while defending a total of 275 who has been suffering from dengue
when the weather is like that apart do what they do best.” or more in the ODI format. This was fever according to sources.
from one part of India to the other India will open their World Cup their 14th consecutive victory while Shubman Gill, who has shown
part. Overall, happy about how we campaign against Australia at the defending a target of 275 runs or immense potential, established him-
are coming into the tournament and MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chen- more. Put to bat first, Pakistan post- Continued on next page... >>

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