R Ashwin: India could be on one of the favourites

It is quite common for experts and cricketers to hail the Indian cricket team as ‘favourites’ ahead of any major ICC tournament. The situation is not much different with the ICC WC 2023 just around the corner and considering the fact that India are the hosts this time. However, veteran India skipper R Ashwin had a rather interesting point to make regarding the ‘favourites’ tag.

Ashwin said in his YouTube channel –

“I know people around the world of cricket will keep saying India are favourites. In fact, all the cricketers around the world will use this as a strategy and say India are favourites before every ICC event.

“They use this strategy to reduce the pressure on themselves and put extra pressure on us. India could be on one of the favourites.

Ashwin added – “But Australia are also a powerhouse. We spoke about the second ODI loss in Barbados. I mentioned that we should back Team India and send them pressure free to the World Cup.

“Most of them agreed but some of them were like, ‘Looks like he is already being cautious about what will happen if Team India doesn’t win and blaming everything on the fans’.”

Ashwin further said – “See we should realise that one cannot shift the blame on the fans. I also understand. What I meant was that fans are the most important stakeholders of the team. Fans can change the entire vibe of a cricket match.

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Ashwin further added –

“Every time the home team is having that momentum, it will be really difficult for the away team when the support is huge. That is exactly what I am saying.

“See, right from the moment the other teams reach the airport or hotels, I know we are always welcoming as hosts and we should be loud and clear.