ICC World Cup 2023: They Use This Strategy To Reduce The Pressure On Themselves - Ravichandran Ashwin On Rivals Terming India As 'Favourites'

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin responded to the remarks from rivals who are labelling the Indian team as favourites to win the ODI World Cup 2023. Ravichandran Ashwin pointed out that these teams might be employing this strategy to reduce pressure on themselves.

India is set to host the upcoming edition of the World Cup, marking the first ICC ODI tournament to be entirely played within the nation. Legendary skipper MS Dhoni led the Men In Blue to a title victory with victory in the final at the Wankhede Stadium when they last played at home.

India Could Be On One Of The Favourites – Ravichandran Ashwin

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin stated that the hosts are one of the favourites to win the title.

“I know people around the world of cricket will keep saying India are favourites,”Ashwin said.

In fact, all the cricketers around the world will use this as a strategy and say India are favourites before every ICC event. They use this strategy to reduce the pressure on themselves and put extra pressure on us. India could be on one of the favourites,” he added.

The tournament will kick off on October 5 with a match between defending champion England and New Zealand at the world’s largest stadium in Ahmedabad. The final match is scheduled to be played at the same iconic stadium on Sunday, November 19.

Australia Are Also A Powerhouse – Ravichandran Ashwin

The 36-year-old highlighted that Australia are among the frontrunners to win the ICC trophy, along with India.

“But Australia are also a powerhouse. We spoke about the second ODI loss in Barbados. I mentioned that we should back Team India and send them pressure free to the World Cup.

“Most of them agreed but some of them were like, ‘Looks like he is already being cautious about what will happen if Team India doesn’t win and blaming everything on the fans’.”

“See we should realise that one cannot shift the blame on the fans. I also understand. What I meant was that fans are the most important stakeholders of the team. Fans can change the entire vibe of a cricket match.

“Every time the home team is having that momentum, it will be really difficult for the away team when the support is huge. That is exactly what I am saying.

“See, right from the moment the other teams reach the airport or hotels, I know we are always welcoming as hosts and we should be loud and clear,” he concluded.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will start their campaign in the World Cup with a clash against the Pat Cummins-led team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8.

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