Cricket World Cup 2023 Captains' Day: Rohit, Babar Discuss Cricket, Biryani And More

Ravi Shastri concludes the event. We onto the Cricket World Cup now!

"We are here in another competition. 2019 was amazing but we are looking forward to what this one brings. It will be different from many levels": Kane Williamson

"It's not my job to decide that": Rohit Sharma when asked about the 2019 World Cup final where England beat New Zealand on the basis of boundary count after the match was tied in 100 overs and the Super Over.

Babar Azam: Since the time we reached Hyderabad, the hospitality we got, it was amazing. It would've been great if fans had come from Pakistan. I hope we get this sort of support in every match. 

"We are excited about the India clash. It is always a big match. But, we have two games before that," said Babar Azam.

"People are going to love this tournament. The stadiums will be jam-packed. Indians love their cricket. It is going to be a great tournament." -- Rohit Sharma

Babar Azam on Pakistan's biggest strength: "Our strength is bowling but as we know, we have been playing well together for the last three years, so bowling is our strength".

Rohit Sharma: "Not thinking too much about on that stuff but yeah in last 3 edition hosting teams won the World Cups and we will give our everything in this World Cup and enjoy the tournament".

“Australia have done very well in ODI World Cups over the years. Hoping to do the same this time around”: Pat Cummins, Australia skipper.

"We weren't expecting the sort of reception we got at Hyderabad after we reached India. It didn't feel like we were in India but back home": Babar Azam

Rohit Sharma not thinking about the 'home advantage' and the fact that the last three World Cups were won by the one of the hosts. He is only foucussed on doing his best. 

The captains of the two arch-rival teams -- India and Pakistan -- have arrived. Ravi Shastri welcomes Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam before welcome England and New Zealand skippers who led their teams in the 2019 World Cup final.

"There is no point in doing showbaazi, it's not in my nature. People around me, friends around me whom I have grown up with, have kept reminding me where I have come from. We just live normal lives. Why will I change and why should I change? I'm still not socially comfortable actually because I feel awkward. I am very poor at socialising. I get very uncomfortable at these events, struggling with small talk. I have a bunch of friends who are connected to me because I have connected with them, they have connected to me. Quality matters to me. People who are genuine, who are true, I connect somehow and feel quite comfortable in that atmosphere," Rohit said in a chat with Indian Express.

Star Sports will broadcast the Captains’ Day live on their YouTube channel. The 10 captains will be speaking to former England captain Eoin Morgan and ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri at the event, answering some crucial questions.

Reports of certain performances at the ICC Cricket World Cup opening ceremony did surface a few days ago but it doesn't look like the organisers have any concrete opening ceremony plans at present. We are likely to head straight into the first match between England and New Zealand, the two finalists of the last edition.

Captains Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Pat Cummins, Jos Buttler, etc. will have some candid talks during the chat. Expect everything but strategies to be discussed at the event, as was the case 4 years ago.

India captain Rohit Sharma had an opportunity to meet his Pakistani counterpart Babar Azam before the Captains’ Day began. Here’s the video that the PCB shared on the two stalwarts’ meeting:

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Captains' Day, ahead of the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. England are scheduled to take on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser fixture tomorrow. But, before the on-field contest, the 10 captains will discuss what awaits them over the next month and a half.