In a recent exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, former India pacer S Sreesanth, who was an integral part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad, provided intriguing insights and predictions for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.
In a candid conversation, Sreesanth drew parallels between the all-round prowess of the legendary Yuvraj Singh and the potential of Hardik Pandya to shine in the current Indian cricket setup. Additionally, he expressed unwavering confidence in the spin wizardry of Kuldeep Yadav.
Sreesanth began by reminiscing about Yuvraj Singh's extraordinary performances in the 2011 World Cup, which eventually earned the southpaw the coveted Player of the Tournament award. Drawing parallels, he suggested that Hardik Pandya could follow in Yuvraj's footsteps in the upcoming tournament.
Hardik Pandya has the potential to deliver like Yuvraj Singh – Sreesanth
“Yuvi Paaji did it for us, so if you look at the Man of the Series award and if you think an all-rounder should do it, then Hardik Pandya could be close to that award. He will be important for India,” Sreesanth remarked, highlighting Pandya's potential to play a pivotal role in India's World Cup campaign.
🗣️ "Extremely happy with the way Hardik Pandya has bowled."#TeamIndia Bowling Coach Paras Mhambrey heaps praise on @hardikpandya7's bowling 👌 pic.twitter.com/1HEDJy122K
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 14, 2023
Shifting the focus to the spin department, Sreesanth didn't hold back his optimism about Kuldeep Yadav's prospects. “Kuldeep Yadav can also win it or be among the top three contenders if he keeps shattering records in the World Cup,” he asserted. This ringing endorsement underscores Sreesanth's belief in Yadav's ability to bamboozle batsmen and turn games in India's favor.
But his analysis didn't stop at individual brilliance; he ventured into the realm of predictions. He confidently declared, “I feel it will be India and New Zealand in the final. We will take revenge for the 2019 World Cup defeat, and hopefully, do something similar to the 50-all-out against Sri Lanka.”
Sreesanth's words echo the sentiments of Indian cricket fans, who are yearning for redemption after the heartbreak of the 2019 World Cup semifinal loss to the Kiwis.
As the 2023 Cricket World Cup unfolds, the cricketing world will be closely monitoring the performances of Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and the entire Indian team.
With the tournament's pinnacle set to take place on November 19 in Ahmedabad, the stakes are high, and the hopes of millions of Indian cricket enthusiasts are riding on their beloved team. Sreesanth's optimism and insights only add to the anticipation surrounding what promises to be a thrilling spectacle on the cricketing calendar.
