"Ranking Doesn't Matter": Gautam Gambhir's Blunt World Cup Message To Team India

The Indian cricket team might be No. 1 in the world in all formats but such a position in the ICC charts matters little to former batter Gautam Gambhir. With the mission for the Indian team being lifting the ODI World Cup this year, Gambhir believes that to win the showpiece event, the team would need to defeat Australia as they have a remarkable performance history in ICC events. Australia, being the most successful team in the 50-over World Cup history, automatically start as one of the favourites. Gambhir, however, is hopeful the Indian team can get the better of them.

Speaking in a special show of Star Sports 'Mission World Cup', 2011 Cricket World Cup champion Gambhir highlighted the pivotal importance of defeating Australia in the tournament.

"Look, I have always said this, and there is no doubt in this, that if you want to win the World Cup, then you have to beat Australia. In 2007 when we won the World Cup, we defeated Australia in the semifinal. In 2011 when we won the World Cup, we beat Australia in the quarterfinal. Australia is the strongest team in any ICC tournament. Remove the ranking, the ranking does not matter," he added.

As far as country-wise winners are concerned, Australia has won the ICC ODI World Cup trophy five times, which makes them the most successful winning team. West Indies and India follow them in the World Cup winners' cricket ODI.

Both these teams have won the trophy twice each. England is the winner of the last World Cup tournament held in 2019 and is the trophy's current champion.

"You can be in any position in the rankings, but Australia, when it comes to those big tournaments, the World Cups, I think Australia has got the players, they have got the self-belief, Australia has the