Former South African starter Herschelle Gibbs said that India, hosting the ICC World Cup 2023 he will be under the most pressure at the next event. India will host the World Cup from October 5 to November 19. Ahmedabad will host the season opener and final.
Gibbs predicted that India, which has not won an ICC title in over a decade, will come under tremendous pressure as hosts. He spoke to ANI from the sidelines of the Zim Afro T20 League.
“India is under the greatest pressure. They have some great players who enjoy pressure and play very well under pressure, but I will say that it is very open because there are a lot of teams that play in sub-continental conditions. I think it will be a very exciting tournament”. Herchelle Gibbs said while speaking to ANI.
South Africa itself has a point to prove at the World Cup. They were unlucky to lose as they did in the 1992 World Cup semi-final against Sydney, where they needed 22 off 1 balls.
Then, at the 1996 World Cup, they entered the quarterfinals with five straight wins and leading the table. However, they lost to the West Indies in the semi-final in Karachi where they lost to the Wet Indies by 19 runs. They were unlucky again to lose the 1999 semi-final against Australia. They managed to tie the game but lost in last place when Australia beat them in the Super Six stage.
Also Read: South Africa World Cup 2023 Schedule: Full Schedule With PDF, Match List, Schedule, Date, Venue, Time
South Africa were the hosts of the 2003 World Cup, where they once again fell short. Once again they lost in the Super Six stage to Sri Lanka. In the 2007 and 2015 stage he reached the semifinals while in 2011 and 2019 he was eliminated from the league stage of the tournament.
Also Read: Australia World Cup 2023 Schedule: Full Schedule With PDF, Match List, Schedule, Date, Venue, Time
South Africa need to reach the final: Herschelle Gibbs
On South Africa’s chances, Gibbs said they need to reach the final somehow. The former batsman said that if South Africa reaches the final they have a good chance of winning the World Cup.
“I think I always said that we have to reach the final. No matter the semifinal, we need to reach the final. The day we reach the final we may win the World Cup”. Gibbs concluded by saying.
India takes on South Africa in Kolkata on November 5. South Africa defeated India in the league phase of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Also Read: India World Cup 2023 Schedule: Full Schedule With PDF, Match List, Schedule, Date, Venue, Time