Ravichandran Ashwin’s Confidence in Afghanistan’s Potential at ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Ravichandran Ashwin expresses strong confidence in Afghanistan’s potential to shine at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. The veteran spinner predicts that the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team could surpass at least two top sides during the tournament, especially in favorable playing conditions. He believes Afghanistan will emerge as a formidable force to reckon with.
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Ashwin acknowledges Afghanistan’s robust batting lineup in the 50-over format and lauds the talents of players like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Hashmatullah Shahidi. He particularly praises Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s impressive performance in the IPL, which has elevated him to a higher level. However, Ashwin highlights that Afghanistan’s strength lies not only in Gurbaz but also in its captain.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, who anchors the innings like Gary Kirsten used to do. Additionally, the team possesses powerful finishers in the form of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi. Moreover, they have discovered a promising opener in Ibrahim Zadran. All of these factors make Afghanistan a team to watch out for in the Cricket World Cup 2023 capable of causing upsets and competing at a high level.
Afghanistan is currently competing in a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh and has impressively secured back-to-back wins in the first two fixtures, establishing an unassailable 2-0 lead. Ravichandran Ashwin, in a video, highlighted that historically, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan were the prominent Asian teams that made it to the top four in the Cricket World Cup held in the sub-continent.
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However, this time around, Ashwin believes that Afghanistan stands as one of the frontrunners among the Asian teams to qualify for the semi-finals. He emphasized that in the previous tournament hosted in Asia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were the semi-finalists, but now Afghanistan has a genuine opportunity to make it to the semis as one of the giants of Asian cricket.
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Afghanistan’s next match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, where they will face Bangladesh in the third and final ODI of the series in Chattogram. In the context of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, some notable players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah have been sidelined due to injuries, which may impact India’s squad for the tournament. Nonetheless, the World Cup is anticipated to be a grand cricket event this year.
A total of 10 teams are set to compete in the Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted by India. The participating nations include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Netherlands, and South Africa. Rohit Sharma currently holds the captaincy of the Indian team and is likely to lead them in the tournament. However, Rohit Sharma’s record as captain in the last two years hasn’t been particularly impressive.
During his captaincy, India faced defeats in the bilateral ODI series against Bangladesh and Australia. They also lost the ICC WTC 2023 final to Australia and failed to reach the final of the Asia Cup 2022. Moreover, the team suffered a crushing 10-wicket loss to England in the semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup last year.
Possibility of Selecting a Young Squad for ICC World Cup 2023:
Due to these results, there is a possibility that selectors might opt for a young squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and consider resting some senior players. History reminds us of how a young squad led by MS Dhoni triumphed in the T20 World Cup for Team India in 2007, despite lacking experienced players. Such a decision could revolutionize Indian cricket. This article speculates on India’s potential squad for the Cricket World Cup 2023 if all senior players are given rest.
In the potential ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 squad, if senior players are rested, the opening partnership can be entrusted to Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. Both players have demonstrated their prowess in the 50-over format by slamming double centuries in ODIs. Ishan Kishan’s impressive century against Bangladesh in December 2022 and Shubman Gill’s splendid ton against New Zealand in February 2023 showcase their abilities as lethal openers for India.
KL Rahul underwent thigh surgery after sustaining an injury in 2023. Although he missed the latter half of the WTC Final 2023, and the West Indies tour, he is anticipated to make a comeback for the World Cup. CWC fans can buy Cricket World Cup Tickets from our website.
As hosts of the tournament, India has not been complacent in the Super League and currently leads the table with 139 points from 21 matches. They will host Afghanistan in a final series, with the Afghans relieved to have already sealed their Cricket World Cup qualification due to a strong start in the Super League. India’s dominant performances, including clean sweeps against Ireland, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe, have set up their campaign and made them difficult to catch for other teams.
The Impact of Afghan Spin Duo Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed:
In the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League 2023, Gujarat Titans have been performing exceptionally well, leading the points table under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. One of the key reasons behind GT’s success has been the exceptional Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed. Their stellar performances have contributed significantly to the team’s impressive run in the tournament.
Rashid Khan’s exceptional performance in the ongoing tournament has seen him take 19 wickets in just 11 matches, while Noor Ahmed has also left a significant impact. Graeme Swann, a former England cricketer and IPL expert with the official digital broadcaster, Jio Cinema, believes that if Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed can maintain their current form in the upcoming ODI Cricket World Cup to be held in India, Afghanistan will become a formidable contender to win the tournament.
Swann praises India for having a wealth of talented wrist spinners but asserts that Afghanistan is the one team that need not be envious. He considers Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad as possibly the best two bowlers in the world at present and emphasizes that if they continue their impressive performances, Afghanistan could go on to win the Cricket World Cup.
In a recent ODI Cricket World Cup match on Thursday, July 27, India faced a tough challenge from West Indies but managed to secure a hard-fought five-wicket victory. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja showcased their skills by bowling out West Indies for just 114 runs in their innings. Subsequently, Ishan Kishan’s fifty while opening the innings played a crucial role in guiding India to the well-earned triumph.
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Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Mukesh Kumar, who made his international debut in the second Test against West Indies, was handed his maiden ODI Cricket World Cup, and Ishan Kishan was preferred over Sanju Samson as the wicket-keeper. Hardik Pandya made an impressive start for India by taking Kyle Mayers’ wicket in the third over.
The Indian bowlers maintained relentless pressure on the opposition, not allowing them to settle or build significant partnerships. Mukesh Kumar also marked his white-ball international career with a wicket. However, it was India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja who stole the show. Jadeja dismantled the West Indies middle order by dismissing Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell.
Kuldeep, on the other hand, bowled a sensational spell to dismantle the hosts’ lower order, taking four wickets while conceding just six runs off his three overs. Jadeja contributed with three wickets for 37 runs. In the case of a comfortable target, the Indian management promoted Ishan Kishan to open the innings alongside Shubman Gill. However, the returning pacer Jayden Gill struck early, dismissing Shubman Gill in the third over, putting early pressure on the Indian Cricket World Cup team.
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