Watch: Team India Arrive In Kerala Without Virat Kohli Ahead Of Warm-Up Clash Against Netherlands
Cricket World Cup 2023: The Indian team has arrived in Kerala in preparation for their warm-up match against the Netherlands.
The Indian team touched down in the city for their ODI World Cup warm-up match against the Netherlands on Sunday night, approximately 20 minutes later than scheduled. When the group landed in Kerala's capital, thousands of fans had gathered outside the airport to welcome them and scream "India, India" as they exited the terminal.
Head coach Rahul Dravid and Jasprit Bumrah were among the first to board the van, although Virat Kohli did not travel with the team. However, he will arrive in the city plenty of time for the practise match, according to sources.
In the forthcoming ODI World Cup, young opening batsman Shubman Gill is the player to watch out for, according to former Sri Lankan cricketer Farveez Maharoof.
Shubman, who is full of potential, finished the Asia Cup as the highest scorer with 302 runs at an average of 75.50, securing his place as India's opening batsman going forward. (watch Cricket World Cup 2023: Dale Steyn Warns India Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saying, "Rohit Sharma, Watch Your Pads." )
He supported his play in the recently finished series against Australia, where Shubman showed off his batting skills by hitting 104 in 97 balls against a potent bowling attack.
Farveez discussed how the forthcoming World Cup will be his big break, even if veteran players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still in their twilight years of their careers.
"The World Cup is going to be a really fascinating event. There will be fierce competition. Certain teams have excellent combinations and formations right now. Every nation has its own celebrity. A lot of runs have been scored by Shubman Gill. For a young player like him who has been performing incredibly well for India over the last two to three years, it will be the ideal chance.
Since he is succeeding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been fantastic for India for a very long time, it will be a historic tournament. I'll be keeping an eye out for Shubman Gill, in my opinion," Farveez told ANI.
He continued by sharing his predictions for the Top-4 teams that will advance to the knockout phases of the competition.
"Australia, England, India, and Scotland would be my four semi-finalists. I'm going to guess that South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka will battle it out for the fourth and last slot. India or England would produce the best player, Farveez continued.
Rain cancelled India's first warm-up match against England in Guwahati. Before they begin their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai, they will have one more chance to test their starting lineup against the Netherlands on Tuesday.