Former cricketers Nasser Hussain and Simon Doull have opined that India's reluctance to play "fearless" cricket do not make them favorites to win the ODI World Cup 2023.
MORE: Bet on the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 here
Speaking on SKY Sports, Hussain emphasised on how the pressure in the knockout matches have led to India's undoing in the past and that the team needs to adopt fearless approach to get past that hurdle.
India play stats-driven cricket: Simon Doull
Simon Doull agreed with Hussain on his analysis of Team India. In a bold statement, he stated that the Indian players are "stats-driven."
"Indian players don't play fearless cricket. They play stats-driven cricket. Indian players are too worried about the stats too often. To me, that is one area I am concerned about their batting," Doull said on Sky Cricket
As per Doull, despite having all the talent, the Indian players are unwilling to take risks and that's what has cost them. The New Zealander also mentioned that India pay too much heed to outside noise.
"They have got all the talent. It is about playing fearless cricket at the right time of the tournament and I think that is what has really let them down in the last three World Cups. They don't go out and take risks because they are so worried about what might be said, about what might be printed," he added.
India in Asia Cup 2023 final
Meanwhile, India are gearing up for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 final, scheduled on September 17 against Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Rohit Sharma's men will head to this contest after a six-run defeat that Bangladesh inflicted on them in the last fixture of the Super Four stage.