Mohammad Kaif's blunt and honest prediction on India's World Cup 2023 chances: 'We will have problems'

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Mohammad Kaif minced no words while making predictions for India's chances of winning the World Cup 2023, saying that the Men in Blue are not looking the strongest on paper and the injury of their key players is a massive concern.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to make his comeback with the Ireland T20Is from August 18 but doubts remain over his fitness. The 29-year-old has faced repeated issues with his back injury over the years. He had tried making a comeback before the T20 World Cup 2022 and the white-ball series against Sri Lanka at the start of the year. However, both were unsuccessful and he had to finally undergo surgery in March.

The latest reports have suggested that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are still not fully fit and doubtful for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 which kicks off from August 30. Iyer hasn't played any cricket since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March. Rahul underwent thigh surgery in May after getting injured during the IPL 2023.

The former India cricketer has reckoned that unlike last year's T20 World Cup in Australia, India will face a tough time in the ODI World Cup this year if these key players are unavailable.

"It will depend on the players who are injured. Bumrah, I think, will be the key if he comes back fully fit. How fit is he we will get to know in the Asia Cup. He is going to Ireland right now. So, I am going to see his bowling. If Bumrah is fully fit then India will be a strong side at home," Kaif told reporters on the sidelines of Pitchside-My Life in Indian Cricket book launch.

"50-over is a different format. In Australia, it was a T20 format which we played but India play well against Pakistan. They always play well in ICC events, they have a good record against Pakistan. At the moment India is not looking the strongest on paper because they are missing the key players.

"We are missing KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant. The biggest factor is Bumrah. If he does not make a comeback then India will have to work harder. We still do not have Bumrah's backup. If Bumrah does not play then India will have to make a lot more effort. We will have problems before the World Cup," Kaif added.

Post the Asia Cup 2023, India are scheduled to play a 3-match series against Australia at home. They kick off their World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.