The Indian team and fans eagerly anticipate winning the prestigious ODI World Cup 2023. As the Men In Blue unveiled their 15-member squad for the tournament, anticipation for a repeat of the 2011 heroics sparked on social media. Joining the anticipation, former India cricketer and 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has outlined a blueprint for the home side's success this year in a recent tweet.
In his tweet, Sing expressed the desire for a 2011-like performance in World Cup 2023 but also highlighted the team's current pressure situation. The two-time World Champion questioned whether the Indian team could turn it into an advantage or not. This tweet garnered significant attention as fans and some former cricketers analyzed the Indian squad.
The left-hander said, "We all want a repeat of 2011 in the World Cup 2023, but In 2011, Team India shined under pressure. In 2023, again, the team is under pressure to perform. Do we have enough time to turn this around? Can we use this pressure to become a game changer?" Additionally, Virender Sehwag, another World Cup winner, responded to Yuvraj's tweet, emphasizing that India would embrace and conquer the pressure, just as they did in the previous World Cups hosted in their respective countries.
Sehwag said, "@YUVSTRONG12 Ayi baat pressure ki, toh iss bar hum pressure lenge nahi, denge! Like champions! Peechle 12 saal mein, host team World Cup jeeti hain! 2011: We won at home; 2015: Australia won in Australia; 2019: England won in England; 2023: Hum Toofan Machayenge!"
Sourav Ganguly questions Sehwag's comments
However, former India skipper and Board President Sourav Ganguly questioned Sehwag's comments. He said that despite being one of the best teams in the world, India needs to get back to winning ways. He said, "Is Team India favorite because the World Cup is held in India or because we’re playing with strength and confidence, @virendersehwag? Yes, we won against Australia in Australia and drew a series against England, but then we lost to them both in big match situations.
I think we have a solid team and a big chance, but we do need to get back to our winning ways before the World Cup.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik echoed Sehwag's sentiments, highlighting the team's history of achieving the extraordinary. He emphasized that India's "god" is superior to other teams' "best" and expressed confidence in their ability to claim the World Cup. It's worth noting. These tweets are part of an advertising campaign by the soft drink brand Thums Up.
Here is how fans reacted to Sourav Ganguly's comments:
Dada, we are not looking like favorites this time; the team is not looking balanced compared to other teams like Aus & Pak; wanted an off-spinner #Ashwin in the team to get more balance with SIX bowling options Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep, Jadeja, Kuldeep, & Ashwin for #WorldCup
— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) September 7, 2023
Relax boys advertisement hai
— Anuj Mishra (@anujmishra003) September 7, 2023
#TeamIndia favourite? In which universe?
— Dr Liberal (@SanatanDoc) September 7, 2023
This is not the #TeamIndia led by Dada with Sachin Sehwag Dravid Yuvi ...
This is a assorted IPL team with players from RCB CSK MI etc...there is no #TeamIndia at present!!
Harsh reality...IPL has destroyed cricket 🙏🏻
IPL has destroyed INDIAN cricket. Fixed it.
— Vikram Barhat (@VikramBarhat) September 7, 2023
India is not favourite to win the ODI World Cup and that's the fact
— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla8175) September 7, 2023
Dada knocking some sense into his boys 👍🏽
— Ajay AJ (@AjayTweets07) September 7, 2023
no trust on this team
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) September 7, 2023
won't win
Ye apne WhatsApp group me baat karo na..
— The CrickFun (@TheCrickFun) September 7, 2023
I think England is again going to be the team which is looking balanced & all players are in good form in last few weeks.
— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) September 7, 2023
So yes it is not going to be easy for the #IndianCricketTeam to lift the Cup without toiling hard.#WorldCup2023#ICCWorldCup23#CWC23
Team selection is extremely crucial in such scenarios
— Apurv Anand (@apurv_anand) September 7, 2023
You can't have misaligned logics that create a constant fear in the mind of players about dropping from the playing 11, even after performing well. #WillIndiaWin #CWC23 #Ad #ThumsUpFanPulse