'Have To Wait, It Will Rain': Former India Coach Makes A Bold Comment About India's Chances In 2023 World Cup

The Argentina-based player won the World Cup for the first time in Qatar in December last year while Tendulkar clinched the 2011 World Cup that was played in India.

Indian batters in action. ( Image Source :Twitter/@BCCI )

Since the 50 over World Cup is set to take place at home soil later this year, Rohit Sharma’s men will be looking to go full throttle. According to former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, it needs time to win the World Cup by quoting the examples of Sachin Tendulkar and Argentina Footballing legend Lionel Messi.

While talking to SportsYaari, Shastri said, “I think India is due. They have been consistent – they reached finals, and semi-finals on a regular basis. Look at Sachin Tendulkar. He had to play six World Cups to win one ICC trophy. 6 World Cups mean 24 years. And in his last World Cup, he won.

“Look at Lionel Messi. A classic example is. I mean how long he has been playing? And when he started winning, he won Copa America, and the World Cup and scored in the final as well. So you have to wait. It will rain,” he added.

The Argentina-based player won the World Cup for the first time in Qatar in December last year while Tendulkar clinched the 2011 World Cup that was played in India. The World Cup will be organized in India after 12 years.

Earlier, under the coaching of Ravi Shastri, India went on to reach the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup.  The Indian team also made in to the finals of the WTC final in 2021  where they lost to New Zealand.

The former India coach also spoke on the injury concerns. "I find it hard to imagine (increase in injuries). You look at era we played in, the facilities that were available at that time. You found players playing 8-10 years easily. A lot of them would play 8-10 months of the year. I really don't know. probably the volume of cricket has increased, no questions about that. There are different leagues around the world. The rest period is decreasing," Shastri told Sports Yaari.