Ex-Selector Predicts a Major Role for All-Rounders in India’s World Cup Success: “Jadeja Will Do What Yuvraj Did in 2011”

Indian fans are already in a frenzy as the 50-over World Cup returns to their country after a 12-year absence thanks to the ICC’s announcement of the match on Tuesday. On October 8, the Men in Blue will play Australia in Chennai to start their campaign, but everyone will be anticipating the explosive match between India and Pakistan on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

At the same time, tournament favorites are starting to be predicted by game experts. K Srikkanth, a former Indian batter and World Cup champion in 1983, said that although India would undoubtedly begin the competition as the favorite, they will have hard competition from teams like Australia and the reigning champions England.

One of the favorites is India. There is also an excellent Australian squad. Likewise, England is. Australia has also played, I think, in India. Thus, I’d predict that one of these three teams—India, Australia, or England—would likely take home the trophy, Srikkanth told India Today.

The former cricketer didn’t include Pakistan in his list of favorite teams because, in his opinion, Babar Azam and company haven’t played in India in a while, while English and Australian players are used to the Indian playing environment.

“I’m not discounting them. The most crucial aspect that I want to observe is what sort of team they will choose. In India, Pakistan has always fought successfully. They fell to the hosts in the semifinals of the World Cup they last participated in in India in 2011.

“I’m not ruling them out, but they are used to playing in the subcontinent’s conditions and haven’t played in India in a while. And since they have played pretty often in India, I’m specifically referring to Australia and England. As a result, I think they have a greater chance,” he said.

All-arounders will be crucial.

When India won the World Cup on home soil in 2011, Srikkanth served as the main selector. The men in blue overcame Sri Lanka in the championship match under MS Dhoni’s direction, winning the trophy for the first time in 28 years.

The role of all-rounders would be vital if India wish to win the trophy again, according to Srikkanth, who emphasized the significance of Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 edition of the competition.

“The sub-continent conditions; some of the wickets will flip quite quickly, it won’t be bouncy or moving like it is in Australia. The greatest benefit for India would be that the circumstances will be familiar. In 2011, we saw some of the best all-round players entering the game. Dhoni also captained the team well at the time, and we also had Yuvraj Singh. Jadeja will likely follow Yuvraj Singh’s example from the 2011 World Cup, in my opinion.

Jadeja, Axar Patel, and other players, according to Srikkanth, “will all play a crucial role if India has to win the world cup.”