'As soon as the Australia series is over...': Srikkanth shoots high-voltage 'World Cup' warning to India

It's another World Cup year, and Team India will be smacking its lips knowing that the 50-over extravaganza will be played on their home soil. India's ICC title drought has been highly spoken of, and after two forgettable T20 World Cup campaigns, this year's tournament will be the Men in Blue's biggest chance at lifting the ultimate prize. 40 years since Kapil Dev's devils lifted the trophy at Lord's in 1983 and 12 years to MS Dhoni's iconic six that triggered euphoria in 2011, the year 2023 is without a doubt, India's best chance at World Cup glory.

However, with a good 10 months to go, steps are being taken to ensure everything goes as per plan. The BCCI has shortlisted a core group of 20 cricketers that will be rotated building up to the World Cup, with the final 15 making the eventual cut. With some high-profile tournaments to go, starting with the series against Australia starting next month to Asia Cup, there is time to fine tune the combinations, but former India captain and member of the '83 World Cup winning squad, Kris Srikkanth has cautioned the team management and the selectors against leaving things for too late.

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"I think in my opinion, by the time the Australia series is over, plan, this is going to be my best team. If I was chairman of the selection committee, I would say, this is my 15, look at the form in the IPL, and then make some probably minor changes. I can't wait till the Asia Cup and say 'Man, after this Asia Cup I'll select the team', No way," the former India batter said on the Star Sports Show 'Road to World Cup Glory'.

After wrapping up series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia, the Indian players will play the IPL, after which they will tour the West Indies and take part in the Asia Cup. In October, right before the World Cup, India will invite Australia for three ODIs before solely hosting the World Cup. However, Srikkanth is of the opinion that players need to be shortlisted as soon as possible, keeping into how some of them perform in the IPL.

"As soon as the Australia series is over, we have to communicate that you guys are going to play the World Cup, come on, do well in the IPL, keep your form there, make sure your fitness is fantastic, keep going and that will be the team. That's what I would do if I was the chairman of the selection committee," added the former BCCI chief selector.