NEW DELHI: Ravi Shastri’s fervent commentary from 2011 - "Dhoni, finishes it off in style, India lift the World Cup after 28 years - still reverberates. Twelve years after that, India once again are hosting the mega tournament this year and the 2011 World Cup-winning all-rounder Suresh Raina on Friday said that if India make it to the final, it won't matter who they play.
India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the 2011 title clash at the Wankhede Stadium to lift the coveted trophy.
India haven't won any ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy, and having lost another World Test Championship final in June earlier this year, India will be eyeing the World Cup trophy to end their decade-long ICC trophy drought.
Gracing the TOI's inaugural 'Right to Excellence - Sports Summit 2023' in Delhi on Friday, Raina, when asked who should India face if the hosts enter the final, said," "Koi bhi aaye, dekh lenge (whosoever is there, we will handle)."
Raina, who played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is for India, also picked two players who can be the trump cards for the Rohit Sharma-led team in the World Cup, scheduled to start on October 5 in Ahmedabad.
"I think Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav will be India's trump cards in the World Cup," Raina said, on the sidelines of the Sports Summit.
Raina also said a lot will depend on India's top-order.
"Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and (Shubman) Gill, agar woh teenon perform karengey (if the three of them perform), then we have a very good middle-order. We have Hardik Pandya, we have Ishan Kishan, then we have (Ravindra) Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur. Top three have to fire, especially Virat Kohli. He is a gun player, he is batting pretty well. If he stays probably 35-40 overs, we will have a good chance," Raina opined.
1/10:Injury-woes: Top players with injuries ahead of ODI World Cup
2/10:Kane Williamson (NZ)
<p>New Zealand’s key batter, Kane Williamson has been away from the game due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury (ACL injury) sustained during IPL 2023. He is still recovering from it and is expected to be match-ready in the upcoming World Cup.<br /><br /><br /></p>
3/10:Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
<p>The star Aussie batter, Glenn Maxwell has been out of action due to an ankle injury just before the South Africa series. He might also miss the 23 match ODI series against India as he is in a race against time to get fit for the upcoming World Cup.<br /></p>
4/10:Shreyas Iyer (IND)
<p>India’s star batter, Shreyas Iyer made a comeback to the Indian side after he recovered from an injury but yet again he has missed a couple of matches of the Asia Cup due to back spasms. The team management is looking into his injury status and might get him ready for the upcoming matches.<br /><br /><br /></p>
5/10:Jason Roy (ENG)
<p>England’s dynamic opener, Jason Roy missed 3-matches so far in the ongoing series against New Zealand due to a back injury. Roy might be in danger of missing the World Cup cut.<br /></p>
6/10:Pat Cummins (AUS)
<p>The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins has been sidelined in the ongoing series against South Africa due to a fractured wrist. Cummins will be hoping to make a comeback in the upcoming series against India for the World Cup preparations.<br /><br /><br /></p>
7/10:Anrich Nortje (SA)
<p>South Africa faced a major setback before the 3rd ODI against Australia as their star fast bowler Anrich Nortje was ruled out due to a back injury. The Proteas will be hoping he is fit for the WC.<br /><br /><br /></p>
8/10:Mitchell Starc (AUS)
<p>Australia’s premium pacer, Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the South Africa tour due to a groin injury. He might make a comeback in the upcoming India series.<br /></p>
9/10:Michael Bracewell (NZ)
<p>New Zealand has faced a major blow as their star batter Michael Bracewell was ruled out of the World Cup 2023 due to a right Achilles injury.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
10/10:Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)
<p>Sri Lanka’s premier all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the Lanka Premier League and the ongoing Asia Cup due to a thigh strain. He is expected to be fit before the upcoming World Cup.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>RAINA'S BEST WORLD CUP MEMORY
Raina, one of the finest all-rounders India have produced, recalled the World Cup winning moment in 2011. He termed it as his best memory.
"When we won the World Cup in 2011 at Wankhede, the whole stadium was full of fans and we were singing 'Vande Mataram', that is always closest to my heart. It has been an amazing journey, God has been very kind. My first World Cup ever and we won it," Raina said with a smile.
