'India Winning World Cup Very...': Ravi Shastri Makes Wild Prediction For T20 WC 2024
Indian team has been on a roll in T20Is
Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has expressed a strong belief in India's potential to clinch the upcoming T20 World Cup that is set to take place in the West Indies and USA in June 2024.
While speaking to reporters at the Wankhede Stadium, Shastri conveyed his conviction that India stands a significant chance in T20 cricket. He pointed out the relative ease of contending in this format with the current team structure, as opposed to the more extensive rebuilding required for 50-over cricket. His confidence stemmed from the team's solid core and the dynamism of the T20 format.
"I see India winning a World Cup very soon. It might not be a 50-overs (one) that easily because you have to again rebuild the side, but 20-overs cricket, the very next one India will be very serious challengers because you have got the nucleus, it's a shorter format of the game. Your focus should be on that,” said Shastri.
Reflecting on India's journey in the World Cup 2023, Shastri praised the team's overall performance, particularly the bowling lineup, which he felt showed remarkable strength in the tournament's critical phases. He expressed a sense of regret over India's inability to secure the title, despite being a top contender.
"I think it was fabulous. To be honest, it still hurts from the outside, that we could not win the cup because we were the strongest team. The way the bowling stood up towards the mid stage of the tournament, you thought they had a great, great chance,” added the former Indian head coach.
Drawing on the illustrious career of Sachin Tendulkar, Shastri highlighted the inherent challenges and prestige of winning a World Cup. He pointed out that even a cricketer of Tendulkar's stature had to endure six World Cups before achieving victory, illustrating that success in such a prestigious tournament is not merely a function of past performances but requires exceptional performance on the decisive day.
“But then nothing comes easy - even the great man Sachin Tendulkar had to wait (for) six World Cups to win one. You don't win World Cups (easily), to win a World Cup you have got to be damn good on that big day. What you did earlier does not count,” said Shastri on India’s World Cup 2023 campaign,” concluded Shastri.
Shastri acknowledged the challenges in building a strong ODI squad for the next 50-over World Cup but highlighted the T20I team's established core, positioning India as a formidable competitor in the shorter format.
 "Jatin")
