Sourav Ganguly Champions Team India to Lay to Rest 2003 World Cup Ghosts and Rivaal Ponting’s Glorious Australian Streak

Summary: As Rohit's team equals India's unbeaten 2003 record, Ganguly supports the hosts to go a step further and secure India's third World Cup trophy.

In the 2023 World Cup, India, under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, is dominating the points table. They've secured a spot in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive time with an unbeaten run, winning all eight games. With one match remaining and the semifinal ahead, Sourav Ganguly, the cricket legend, believes India can overcome the haunting memories of the 2003 World Cup and equal the remarkable streak set by Ricky Ponting's Australian side.

India's World Cup success includes victories against Australia, Pakistan, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, backed by enthusiastic home support. Echoing Ganguly's leadership 20 years ago, they've bounced back from an early loss to Australia, winning eight consecutive matches before falling short in the final by 125 runs.

As Rohit's team equals India's unbeaten 2003 record, Ganguly supports the hosts to surpass it and secure India's third World Cup trophy, aiming to match Ponting's achievement.

"I noticed the stat yesterday. We won eight matches, and so did Rohit's team. I hope they win all 11," the former India captain stated on Thursday in Kolkata. Only Australia has managed an unbeaten World Cup victory, accomplishing the feat twice in 2003 and 2007 under Ponting's leadership.

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With one league match left against the Netherlands on Sunday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a win would make it nine out of nine in the round-robin stage. Despite this, India's past World Cup campaigns haven't been favorable in the knockouts.

India went unbeaten to the semifinals in 2015 and topped the table in 2019 but faced semifinal losses in both editions, resulting in a 3-4 record in the World Cup semifinals.

Yet, the current Indian side's victories in this tournament, coupled with their unmatched level of dominance, make them strong favorites for the elusive cup, with no team coming close to their performance so far.