New Delhi:  As the cricketing world shifts its focus towards the shorter formats of the game, the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 holds a special place for players, teams, and officials who remain determined to clinch the coveted trophy.

Captain Rohit Sharma is brimming with confidence as Team India gears up for the tournament on home soil. When asked about India's preparedness, Sharma expressed optimism, stating that the team has put in solid preparation and is well-equipped with skills. "We've come into this tournament prepared really well, so quite confident about us skill-wise. We're looking forward to the game," he remarked.

World Cups hosted on home turf have historically posed challenges, but India, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, broke the jinx by clinching the title in 2011. Rohit Sharma and his team are eager to replicate this achievement, believing that the present moment offers the best opportunity to become world champions once again.

Addressing the status of Shubman Gill's availability for the opening game, Sharma clarified that despite reports of his "ailment," the young batter has not been ruled out. While there have been suggestions of Gill suffering from fever, possibly dengue, the exact nature of the illness has not been disclosed. Sharma explained, "He is not 100%, but he's sick. So, there's no injury concern. Gill is not feeling well. We are monitoring him on a daily basis. So, we're going to give him every chance to recover and see how he feels. So, he's not ruled out yet."

Leading India in a World Cup is a significant honor for Rohit Sharma, who expressed the magnitude of the event, referring to it as the "biggest sporting event in cricketing history." He acknowledged the weight of the captaincy role in such a prestigious tournament.

Regarding India's recent performances against Australia, Sharma refrained from placing too much emphasis on past encounters. He stressed the importance of playing excellent cricket on a given day and acknowledged Australia's formidable track record in ICC tournaments. Sharma highlighted the need for India to focus on their strengths, adapt to the conditions, and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Sharma also commented on the prevailing weather conditions, suggesting that the heat in the current season might resemble that experienced during the match against Australia in March. However, he remained reserved about discussing the condition of the pitch, explaining that the pitch's appearance on match day could change significantly.

When questioned about his batting form, Sharma, known for his impeccable performance in the previous World Cup with five centuries, acknowledged that handling pressure and moments during a game are essential aspects. He drew on his 16 years of cricketing experience to emphasize the importance of dealing with pressure effectively and not allowing it to affect the team.

The much-anticipated clash between India and Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams aim to make a strong start in the tournament.

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur.

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

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