If they make it to the 2023 World Cup semifinals, Michael Vaughan said that the reigning champions England and India will be unbeatable. Rishabh Pant’s absence, in Vaughan’s opinion, is a huge loss even if he thinks India will continue the history of the home side winning the World Cup.
India are the clear favorites and are gaining momentum heading towards the 2023 World Cup. The Men in Blue defeated Sri Lanka to win the 2023 Asia Cup, and then followed it up by defeating Australia in a bilateral ODI series.
“India’s Seamers are World Class” – Michael Vaughan
Vaughan noted in his column that the Indian Side may suffer from a lack of left-handers but believed they had world-class seamers. He stated:
“England and India are the two teams nobody else wants to face in a semi-final. India have everything required to win a World Cup but I would be concerned about the lack of left-handers. They only really have Ravindra Jadeja in that first seven. There is no Rishabh Pant, who is a free spirit, which is a big blow. But the seamers are world class and the spinners, too.”
Michael Vaughan
The 48-year-old is certain that hosts are strong enough and the side that defeats them will win the title. He clarified:
“With India it is always can they cope with the pressure? Just look at the last three World Cups. India won on home soil in 2011, Australia did the same in 2015 and England in 2019. It has been a common trend the home team has gone on to win the World Cup so everyone expects India to do so. I don’t think they will disappoint. Any team who beat India in a semi-final will win the World Cup.”
Michael Vaughan
India’s heartbreaking loss in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, despite finishing at the top of the group stage, still stings. In the upcoming edition, they will be determined to surpass that stage and go even further.
“England are very tough mentally” – Michael Vaughan
If they successfully defend their championship, Michael Vaughan remarked, the current England squad would be considered one of the finest teams in history.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this group. They will be ranked alongside the great teams of the past if they can do the job over the next eight weeks. They can do it because England are very tough mentally.”
Michael Vaughan
The spin-friendly sub-continental wickets have caused the former cricketer-turned-commentator to identify Joe Root as the crucial player.
“Whether they have the best skill sets for winning in India is going to be the challenge. Joe Root has not been in great form but he is a massive key on those pitches because he plays spin so well. He does not need to play too aggressively, there are others who can do that.”
Michael Vaughan
In the 2019 World Cup, Joe Root emerged as England’s top run scorer, amassing 556 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 61.78. His remarkable performance included two centuries and three half-centuries.