Speaking to Revsportz on his 51st birthday, Sourav Ganguly made a wish for Babar Azam’s side to qualify for the World Cup 2023 semi-final so that Eden Gardens in Kolkata could host the India vs Pakistan high-octane clash.
Notably, Kolkata and Mumbai would be hosting the two semi-final matches of the ODI World Cup 2023. The first and fourth-ranked teams after the round robin stage will play in the first semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while the teams finishing second and third will lock horns in Kolkata.
“It’s very hard to say. Australia, England, India. You can never underestimate New Zealand in these big matches. I will pick five, and include Pakistan also. Pakistan better qualify so that we will have the India-Pakistan semi-final at the Eden Gardens (laughs),” Ganguly said on being asked about the World Cup 2023 potential semi-finalists.
Ganguly thanked BCCI and its secretary Jay Shah for allotting five World Cup matches at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He also revealed that the seating capacity of the iconic stadium would be increased to 100,000 in the next two years.
“I hope so. We are extremely happy to have five matches at the Eden Gardens. I must thank the BCCI and Jay Shah for giving us the semi-final. I had spoken to him, and I am sure the Cricket Association of Bengal must have spoken to him a number of times about the matches.
“Eden Gardens is a great venue – 60-70,000 capacity, and that also plays a huge role. We will upgrade it to around 100,000 in the next two years. Extremely happy because the World Cup is a big event, and Eden has hosted big matches in the past also,” explained Ganguly.
Further, the former BCCI president said that pressure would be there on the Indian team and its players but expressed confidence that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would find a way to succeed.
“Pressure will always be there. When they played before also, there was pressure. Rohit Sharma has five centuries in the last ODI World Cup. I am sure there must have been pressure on him then also. Pressure is not a problem.
“I am sure they will find a way to succeed. During Rahul Dravid’s playing days, there was pressure to perform, and now that he is the head coach, there is pressure on him to deliver. That will not go away, and I don’t think pressure is an issue,” said Sourav Ganguly while speaking to Revsportz.
“Just win it. He (Rohit) has won five IPLs, which is not easy also. So hopefully, he can do it for India in this World Cup,” said Sourav Ganguly,” Ganguly added.
India will kick off their World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
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