"This Is The Last Opportunity..." - Ravi Shastri Wants Rohit Sharma To Lift The World Cup

India and Australia will lock horns against each other in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will witness the iconic final on Sunday, November 19. India has an opportunity to win the title while being unbeaten in the entire tournament. Only West Indies and Australia have managed to win the World Cup while going unbeaten in the tournament.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri talked about the importance of the first ten overs in the final. He believes that the first ten overs will be crucial for both the teams and both India and Australia have dominated the first ten overs in the tournament.

“I think that the first 10 overs are very crucial. India has got some great starts, especially with the way Rohit has exploded at the top. That makes a difference. Similarly with Australia, if they take off, that will give them a lot of confidence. David Warner, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are dangerous players,” said Ravi Shastri, as quoted by TOI.

Ravi Shastri Is Desperate For The Indian Team To Win

When Ravi Shastri was the head coach of India, the Indian team failed to win any ICC event. The Men In Blue reached the finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy but lost to Pakistan. They were eliminated by New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. However, Ravi Shastri is happy that his batch of players are fruitfully performing in this World Cup. He wants Rohit Sharma to lift the World Cup as it could be the last World Cup in his career.

“It is very heartening and I am desperate for them to win. When I was there, I was very disappointed that a team of this calibre did not win the World Cup. When I left, I said to the boys: ‘You deserve to win the World Cup. Stay focused, be determined and the time will come.’ That time has come. A guy like Rohit, he is a giant in white-ball cricket. For him to go without a World Cup in his career, will not be great. This is the last opportunity for six or seven players to win it,” he added.

India and Australia have previously faced each other in the finals of the 2003 World Cup where Ricky Ponting and his men devoured the Indian team. It is time for the Indian team to avenge the losses of 2003 and the World Test Championship. If India defeats Australia in the finals, they will become only the second nation with at least three World Cup titles.

However, Australia will not be an easy opponent as they are gearing up to claim a record-extending sixth World Cup title on Sunday. The world will witness a riveting encounter between two superpowers of Cricket as India and Australia battle it out at the ultimate stage.