ODI World Cup 2023: Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag question if India can win ICC tournament?

Yuvraj took to social media to engage with the cricketing community and expressed doubts about the current Indian team.

ICC World Cup 2023 is all set to be held in India

Post the Asia Cup 2023, India will begin its preparations for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 which will be taking place in their own backyard. The Men in Blue had last won the ODI World Cup under the leadership of MS Dhoni at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. This memorable moment unfolded 12 years ago, and ever since, India's World Cup journey has been a rollercoaster ride.

Now, with the squad announced, there have been a lot of questions asked, especially with many seasoned players being left out. With many questioning if Rohit Sharma's team possesses the firepower to conquer the pinnacle, a question raised by former India all-rounder and one of the key figures behind India's 2011 victory, Yuvraj Singh has grabbed everyone's attention.

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Yuvraj took to social media to engage with the cricketing community and expressed doubts about the current Indian team's ability to handle pressure and achieve results similar to those of their 2011 counterparts.

"We all yearn for a repeat of the 2011 ICC World Cup glory in #ICCWorldCup23. But in 2011, #TeamIndia shone brightly under immense pressure. In 2023, the team is once again under the weight of expectations. Do we have enough time to turn the tide? Can we channel this pressure to emerge as 'Game changers'?" Yuvraj, the Player of the Tournament in India's 2011 World Cup win, pondered.

In reply to Yuvraj Singh's concerns, his former teammate and Indian cricket legend, Virender Sehwag displayed unwavering faith in the present squad. Sehwag firmly stated that stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah would not succumb to pressure but would, in fact, embrace the challenge, leading the charge against their opponents.

"Ayi baat pressure ki, toh iss bar hum pressure lenge nahi, denge! Like champions! (When it comes to pressure, we won't take it but we will give it to the opposition)," Sehwag boldly responded while tagging Yuvraj.

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Additionally, Sehwag pointed out an intriguing pattern in the last three ODI World Cups: all of them were won by the host country.

India claimed victory in 2011 on their home ground, Australia triumphed in 2015 on their own territory, and England emerged as champions in 2019 when they hosted the tournament.

"Peechle 12 saal mein, host team world cup jeeti hain! (In the last 12 years, the host team has won the World Cup). 2011 – We won at Home. 2015 – Australia won in Australia. 2019 – England won in England. 2023 – Hum Toofan Machayenge! (2023 - We will create a storm!)" Sehwag confidently proclaimed.

While the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the 2023 ICC World Cup, the platform is ready for Rohit Sharma's team to create a fresh chapter in Indian cricket history and, in doing so, exorcise the memories of past disappointments.

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