CWC 2023: With an almighty thumping of Sri Lanka en-route to winning the Asia Cup for the 8th time, India have served a warning shot to everyone that they are ready to wrest the crown of World Champions from England on their home turf in 3 weeks time. The batters are among the runs, the bowlers are spewing venom every time they step up while the spinners are outfoxing batters with alarming regularity. It is safe to say that this Indian side is peaking at just about the right time, and other teams will definitely be put on notice on the basis of this showing.

The start to the tournament has been shaky, yet positive. A win over Australia is always welcomed. However, there are a few teams who are on the same level as this Indian side, if not better and they will surely fancy their chances of winning it all with their qualities and squad strength.

We take a look at the 3 teams who have the capability to challenge India and even perhaps stop them in their tracks this World Cup (CWC 2023)-

3. England

The defending ODI World Cup champions will once again be the team to beat after establishing themselves as one of the best ODI sides to play the game in recent times. They are fresh off trouncing New Zealand 3-1 in the recently concluded home series where almost everything clicked for them. Their top order looks to be in fine fettle with Dawid Malan leading the way along with Jonny Bairstow.

Ben Stokes has announced his second coming in ODI cricket with one of the most destructive centuries made by an Englishman, and new hotshot Harry Brook has been added to the side as well. Add to this the usual suspects Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, and Adil Rashid- all of those who have wealth of experience playing in Indian conditions, this England team not only enters this World Cup as the team to beat, but with the quality of besting India as well.

Though their start to the World Cup was with a huge loss against New Zealand, let’s remember the fact that Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2022, before lifting the trophy for the very first time. Now, if that is something of a superstition that the English have too, then they are right on track!!

2. Australia

Another team that have a host of players who have tons and tons of experience playing in Indian conditions, Australia are currently the most well-rounded side in ODI, with their absurd squad depth covering all bases with quality options in each position. Even with Travis Head’s potential absence, the top-order of Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith is a bowlers nightmare, especially with the Australians adopting this newfound policy of going hell-for-leather in the first 10 overs of their batting. Add to that the strength of their middle order which is supplemented by newly-rejuvenated Marnus Labuschagne and the incoming Glenn Maxwell.

The bowling resources on offer are some of the best, which include the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood coupled with the crafty guile of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar. This team covers all bases and also has pretty good record against India in ICC events, so India will have to watch out for the Aussies.

A loss to the home team in the opening game doesn’t make them any less favourite. It was a game, where they were still finding their best form. And the batting still has some flaws. Further, the way they fought with the new ball, with India at 2/3, shows that they can never be underestimated. Let’s see how they perform in the rest of the tournament.

1. New Zealand

If India is the Superman, then New Zealand is the kryptonite of India in ICC events. In the ICC events that have taken place since India beat the Kiwis in the 2003 World Cup, India have not managed to beat New Zealand even once in the past 19 years. Even with the absence of key all-rounder Michael Bracewell and the uncertainty around Kane Williamson’s fitness and availability, the Blackcaps have a formidable squad which has a wealth of experience behind them.

The Likes of Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell have all been among the runs. Add to it the bowling arsenal of Boult, Ferguson, Henry, and Ish Sodhi, this Kiwi outfit will what to go all the way after the heartbreak of last year.

With New Zealand’s dominating performance vs England in the tournament opener, they have served a notice to the rest of the contenders that they are not to be taken lightly in this tournament. The fact that they made light work of the defending champions despite missing three of their most important players only makes the victory and it’s margin more impressive. If they looked so good without them, imagine how good they will be once they are back in the side.

2/2 on the points table already and they are looking good. The Kiwis could be one of the first teams to make it through to the knockout stages. That is if they continue to play, as they are at present. So, let’s wait and watch!!

Overall Analysis Of The CWC 2023 Results So Far!!?

It was really tempting to include South Africa in this list. That too, after the Proteas scored three centuries in the opening game of the tournament. And they outclassed former Asian champions and this year’s finalists, Sri Lanka.

However, South Africa has a nag of being too inconsistent when the going gets tough. So, for now, it is only advisable to watch them play along. And not rate them in the top 4. They have and always will be the dark-horses that never win. Let’s see if this side is any different. Or is it more of the same, once again!?

Author Credit- Delwyn Serrao