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Since the last recent event, which took place in England and Wales four years ago, ODI cricket has seen considerable changes. Eoin Morgan, the captain of the 2018 champions, England, and one of the major architects of that mindset shift will watch the 2023 competition from the stands after retiring from international cricket in 2022. The exciting triumph over New Zealand in the 2019 final by an England team that underwent organizational change to become a white-ball juggernaut sets the bar for all teams competing in India this year. Morgan was at the vanguard of that team.
Morgan is regarded as one of the greatest white-ball captains of all time for the way he led England's comeback in the format. Under his leadership, England went from the disappointments of the 2015 World Cup to world champions and possibly the best limited-overs team in modern cricket in just four years by playing an ultra-attacking brand of cricket that made the most of their depth in the batting order and power-hitting. Additionally, England is currently the reigning T20 World Cup champions.
Ahead of the ICC 2023 World Cup, it was noted that while ODIs were dwindling in frequency, the World Cup remained the sport's highest honor. Morgan identified the four teams that he considered to be favorites in an interview with WION. "When it comes to the tournament's main event, I have no doubt that both England and India will be present. And the other teams I could see winning the trophy are Pakistan and Australia, both of which are very, very strong teams and challengers in major tournaments.
They have a wealth of expertise at their disposal. I would think that those teams have all the bases covered for playing cricket in India, especially in the 50-over format," concluded Morgan.
These four sides are among the best, with Pakistan and India naturally benefiting from the playing conditions and Australia and England possessing the kind of skill in every position that may lift them just above the pursuing group of New Zealand and South Africa.
Morgan discusses India's potential for the 2023 World Cup.
Morgan was glowing in his appreciation for the hosts when questioned about his predictions for India's World Cup run and his advice to a side that has struggled in ICC competitions since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013.
"They're a great cricket squad, and I think they'll be favorites in the World Cup. You don't have to go all the way back to 2011, when MS Dhoni was the captain, to remember that incredible moment when he blasted that ball over long-on for six, and India won the championship.
The former captain also discussed the importance of familiarity in a tournament of this nature. "Home advantage is a crucial factor, but if you had any advice, it would be to talk to the people who were there and served as leaders during the voyage. Virat Kohli, for example, was a member of that team and is familiar with the environment, according to Morgan.
The English player, who is presently competing in the ZimAfro T10 league in Zimbabwe, also discussed New Zealand and how his England squad had hoped to follow their example in terms of their mental approach to the competition. "The team I led is actually very comparable to Kane and his team, who were finalists in 2015 before being defeated by Australia, and finalists at Lord's."
"The level of consistency they showed in performance, but also the level of humility and respect they play the game with is something we admired as a team and strived to achieve," said Morgan of the Kiwi squad, who made it to the finals in 2015 and 2019, as well as the semifinals in 2011.
