Richards cites fan support as a key motivator for India's success in the upcoming tournament
Legendary West Indies batsman Viv Richards has thrown his support behind the host nation, India, ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, citing the tremendous backing from fans as a significant source of motivation.
In an interview with the ICC, Richards expressed his belief in India's potential for success in the upcoming World Cup, underscoring his strong connection with the country. The 2023 Cricket World Cup is set to commence on October 5, with a clash between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
Richards remarked, "I fancy India, I have a deep affiliation with India, that particular country in itself. I made my debut in India, and I have a lot of sentimental reasons about that part of the world."
He continued by explaining that he is placing his bets on India, emphasizing the substantial advantage of playing in front of a home crowd. India is gearing up to host the 2023 World Cup in October and November, and the support from fans is expected to be overwhelming.
"So I will back India to do well; they have massive support, you can never forget that when you have massive support, it can be seriously encouraging," Richards added. The 10-team Cricket World Cup is scheduled to commence on October 5. Eight teams secured direct qualification for the 46-day tournament, while Sri Lanka and the Netherlands clinched the final two spots through the qualifying round held in Zimbabwe last month.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and the Netherlands constitute the 10 teams that have earned a spot in this marquee event. The group stage will follow a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the knockout stages.
The semi-finals are slated to take place in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16, leading up to the grand finale scheduled for November 19 in Ahmedabad. Cricket enthusiasts around the world are eagerly anticipating the action-packed tournament.
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 "Cricket legend Viv Richards puts His faith in India for ICC men's cricket World Cup 2023")
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