The ODI Cricket World Cup is all set to begin on October 5 as the series opener will see the defending champions England taking on the runner’s up from the 2019 edition of the world cup, New Zealand in the World Cup opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India will certainly be entering the tournament as a firm favourite to win the competition as the previous time around when they were the host of the World Cup 2011, India ended up lifting the trophy.
Citing this golden opportunity, the 1983 World Cup-winning member Kris Srikkanth makes a big statement about the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. As per Srikkanth, the star Indian all-rounder can perform the role Yuvraj Singh did for India in 2011 in the upcoming marquee competition. The 63-year-old also went on to say that he feels that both Jadeja as well as Axar Patel will have a big part to play in India’s campaign for ODI World Cup 2023 as both the players have tremendous ability with bat as well as ball similar to Yuvraj.
“In Indian conditions, some of the wickets will turn a lot. It won’t be bouncy like in Australia or moving conditions like in England. India are used to home conditions, and that is one of the biggest advantages for the Indians. In the 2011 World Cup, you saw a lot of all-rounders coming into play. believe Ravindra Jadeja will do what Yuvraj Singh did in the 2011 World Cup. I believe Jadeja, the Axar Patels of the world, these people will play a very crucial role if India has to win this 2023 World Cup," Srikkanth said to India Today
It is interesting to note that Srikkanth was the chairman of the selection committee at the time when India lifted the World Cup in 2011.
Here is how Twitter reacted to this interesting statement from the World cup winning player.
Ye toh badi acchi baat kahi hai janab aapne
— Shubham Shrivastav (@shubhshr28) June 29, 2023
Even I feel the same . Why can't jadeja be our no 4 for wc in the absence of sreyas Iyer .He is too good a batsmen to play at no 4 . He can bowl 10 overs too.
— Yashwanth (@bittuyash18) June 29, 2023
Gives the captain the freedom of having 6 bowling options easily
Yuvi was a batting all-rounder whereas jaddu is more a bowling all-rounder. Jaddu has the potential to be the game changer for India if the wickets offer more spin than expected.
— Chetan Bhat (@chetdb) June 29, 2023
In a historic feat, Ravindra Jadeja broke the record for the highest Test score by an Indian batting at number seven. His unbeaten 175*(228) against Sri Lanka in the first Test stands above Kapil Dev's 163. Jadeja's remarkable achievement will be remembered in cricketing history
— Cricket Tycoon (@CricketTycoon) June 29, 2023
I love Jaddu to bits but there is no one like Yuvi. The guy can single handedly win you games from no where and he was a very handy spinner.
— Aswin Viswanathan (@CallMeAchu) June 29, 2023
Dhoni, Kohli n now Rohit have failed to replace yuvi in the batting XI since 2011. That’s been the cause of India’s downfall in ICC comps
At his best yuvraj was far bigger match winner than jaddu atleast on crucial icc knockout matches. Jaddu is best all rounder for us now and hope he makes me wrong.
— I V (@infvoy) June 29, 2023
At his best yuvraj was far bigger match winner than jaddu atleast on crucial icc knockout matches. Jaddu is best all rounder for us now and hope he makes me wrong.
— I V (@infvoy) June 29, 2023
Yuvi's bowling in that world cup was so good that if jadeja reached yuvi's standards atleast in bowling dept , then India will be benefitted alot..
— ICF (@IndCricketFan) June 29, 2023
i bet he didn't knew or didn't had any idea abt yuvraj will do wht he did in 2011
— Market_TA_Learner (@marketlearner36) June 29, 2023
not sure how did he know abt jadeja so early
lets wait till 2024 for him to change his statement
India will be kickstarting their campaign against Australia on October 8 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.