India would be short changed going into the World Cup: R Ashwin

India is one of the favourites at any World Cup these days and Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed that India are firm favourites for the tournament but multiple venues and related adjustment gets daunting.

Team India have already begun their preparations for the ODI World Cup set to be held at home. India are always favourites being the hosts and would be hoping to finally give their fans something to look forward to after years of despair and disappointment. Their preparations have been great till now and India have won all the four ODIs they have played in 2023.

The experienced ace spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has been part of Team India for two editions of the ODI World Cup. Sharing his own experience while speaking on his YouTube channel, the Madras-born cricketer stated that India played 14 out of their 18 ODIs at different venues and that might be a problem. Nations like Australia and England only play at a handful of venues and know the pitch and the conditions better. This might prove to be a tricky challenge but believes Team India are still the favourites.

The 36-year-old further elaborated, “India’s ODI home record ever since the 2019 World Cup finished is extremely impressive. India has won against every team that’s travelled to India in this space, which are West Indies, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka. India’s home record is 14-4 in this space [since the 2019 World Cup], which is a 78 to 80 percent win record in India."

All of these 18 ODIs have happened in different venues every single time (14 venues). If you have to compare the same spree with Australia or England, the venues are pretty stock standard. They play all their Test matches at 4-5 venues, the ODIs are played in 2-3 venues and so they know their venues like the back of their hand,” Ashwin added.

Furthermore, the offie iterated that India are going to be a bit “short changed” going into the World Cup. He said that the wickets and playing conditions varies across the venues, which can prove to be a vital factor for Team India. He then added how the pattern has developed of the home team winning the World Cup since 2011 and that is because the host nation knows the pitches well. 

The Men in Blue have 17 ODIs left to play along with the Asia Cup before the World Cup begins in October. Teams like Australia, West Indies will be competing in India before the World Cup begins so that would be a good test for Team India.

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