ICC World Cup 2023: If India Don't Win It This Time, They May Need To Wait For 3-4 Editions, Says Ravi Shastri

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Former coach Ravi Shastri believes if India miss out on the title in ICC World Cup 2023, they will probably have to wait for another three World Cups to have a shot at the title again.

India are currently on a eight-match winning streak in the ongoing World Cup 2023 with just another league match and the two knock out matches in their way of clinching the title unbeaten.

Rohit Sharma's side, who meet Netherlands in the final round-robin match, will face New Zealand in the semi-final on Wednesday (November 15). While they are unbeaten so far, a defeat to Kiwis in the last four will end their title dreams.

India last won the World Cup in 2011 when the tournament was held across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Twelve years and two editions later, the ODI World Cup has returned to India with home conditions being used to the fullest by the Men in Blue.

Speaking to Club Prairie Fire podcast that also featured Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, Shastri said a majority of the squad members are at their peak, providing the Men in Blue the best chance to end their ICC title drought.

"The last time they won it was 12 years ago. They have an opportunity to do it again. The way they are playing, this is probably their best chance. If they miss out this time, they would probably have to wait another three World Cups for even thinking of trying to win it," said the former India head coach.

Shastri meant this could be the best chance as half the squad are probably playing their last 50-over World Cup, and he believes the tightly knit unit can go all the way.

"The pool of players are such the 7-8 players are at their peak. This could well be their last World Cup. The way they are playing, given the conditions, they have got the team to win it," Shastri added.

The Indian bowling attack been the best so far in the competition with the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj running through most top orders, while the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav has been relentless in the middle overs.

Shastri feels the current bowling attack is the best India has ever had in a long-time and praised the pace battery of Siraj, Shami and Bumrah, who have been consistent with balls aimed at the stumps.

"It is extraordinary and it has taken time, it has not happened overnight. They have been playing with each (of them) for four to five years. Siraj joined the party three years ago," Shastri said on the podcast.

"They know the kind of areas to hit on a consistent basis. They know it is not important to look flashy when you bowl. It is more about consistency and getting the ball in the right areas.

"In this World Cup, they have bowled hardly any short balls. if there is a short ball, it is used as a surprise weapon. 90 per cent of the time they have been targeting the stumps like you must do in India hitting those three-quarters lengths.

"Because of their seam positions, they are getting the ball to nip around and that is causing a lot of problems. It is the best attack in 50 years ever since white-ball cricket started," he added.

The next ODI World Cup is scheduled to take place in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe before it returns to India again in 2031, when the country play co-hosts along with Bangladesh.

(With PTI inputs)