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EXCLUSIVE | 'If he was playing, India would be the favourites for World Cup': Kris Srikkanth rues injury to India's X-factor

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on June 27 (Tuesday) released the complete schedule for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup which will be played in India.

SportsTak

• Wed • 28 Jun 2023

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on June 27 (Tuesday) released the complete schedule for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup which will be played in India. The tournament will commence on October 5 and the final is scheduled to be played on November 19. Playing in front of the home crowd, Team India will shoulder a ton of expectations to repeat the feat achieved by the Indian side in 2011. The Men in Blue will still enter the competition as one of the favourites to clinch the silverware.

Former India batter Kris Srikkanth believes that Rohit Sharma & Co. would have been clear-cut favourites to win the quadrennial competition had Rishabh Pant been available for selection. The wicketkeeper-batter, who is currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, is unlikely to regain full fitness for the ODI World Cup.

"We don't know the real truth about Rishabh Pant. Because Rishabh Pant, if he was playing, I would have straightaway said that India are the real favourites for the World Cup. But I think obviously, Rishabh Pant's fitness is questionable. Nobody knows how fit will he be before the World Cup. I doubt it. Many people doubt if he will play the 2023 World Cup. Otherwise, the Rishabh Pant factor would have been very crucial," Srikkanth told India Today in an exclusive chat.

Talking about India's batting line-up, Srikkath exuded confidence in KL Rahul and his ability to bat in the middle-order in 50-over cricket. The 1983 World Cup winner also spoke about the talent in India's batting line-up that makes them a real contender.

"So I believe guys like KL Rahul should be back in the middle order. KL Rahul has been fantastic. We have Rohit Sharma opening with Shubman Gill. Then we have Virat Kohli, who has been fantastic in this format and he has been in form. I believe India has got the capabilities of winning the World Cup," said Srikkanth.