He led England to an extraordinary World Cup win in July 2019. While he will not be there to defend his title in October 2023, Eoin Morgan reckons that England are second favourites, after India, going into the World Cup, and have the team to defend the title. Saying that the 2019 final was the greatest game of his life and career, Morgan adds that he has always been a fan of Rohit Sharma, the captain and leader.
Excerpts from the conversation.
Boria: Another World Cup is upon us, and yet that evening at Lord’s still seems so real. How do you look back at it?
Morgan: First, thanks for having me on the show. That final at Lord’s was the greatest 50-over match I have ever played. It was just the most incredible contest, and I was fortunate to lead England in the tournament. In fact, when I look back, it was the most incredible four years. In 2015, our 50-over cricket hit rock-bottom in Australia and then we started to regroup. We had a mix of experience and youth, with all the new players who joined the team. In the match against New Zealand soon after, we scored 400. That’s what started the journey and we became No. 1 two years later, and then went into the World Cup as favourites. To then do what we did in the World Cup, and win it in front of our home fans, was the most special experience a player can be part of.
Boria: I was on commentary for ICC radio, and I remember how tense it was. Coming to this World Cup, would you reckon England has the team to go the distance? I say this more because of the injury to Jofra Archer. Although Ben Stokes, your man of the final in 2019, is back, which is good news for England.
Morgan: England are a very good team. I will rate them second-favourites after India, but only just. India, on home soil, is the favourite and are a very good team. That’s been the case for all of the last few World Cups. India in 2011, Australia in 2015, England in 2019 and India again in 2023. But Jos Buttler and his team have some fantastic batsmen and bowlers, and their talent will make a big difference come the business end of the tournament. If you ask me to pick my best four, I will add Australia and Pakistan to the mix. With the matches spread across all parts of the country, it will be a real test and these four teams have the maximum depth and versatility.
Boria: I ask you this question as captain and leader. You have won the World Cup and know what it is like to play with home pressure. How do you rate Rohit Sharma as captain and leader?
Morgan: I have always been a fan of Rohit Sharma, the captain and leader. If you see, he has the ability to carry his team with him, and also has the team to do extremely well in the World Cup. Having spoken to a number of players in his team, I know Rohit commands a lot of respect among the group and is a really good leader of men. Even when he wasn’t captain, I am sure he made a difference in the change room and was a key influence. Much like I think Virat Kohli is now in the change room, and that’s another major plus for India going into the World Cup. Kohli, who played and won the World Cup in 2011 on home soil, will make a major difference to Rohit in the Indian change room.
“The World Cup is yet another stage where he will look forward to playing a big role” Eoin Morgan on Virat Kohli.
Tune in at 12pm to hear @Eoin16‘s insights on #ViratKohli, #RohitSharma , and England’s potential in the #ICCWorldCup2023.@AgeasFederal @Pebble_India @Wowmomo4u pic.twitter.com/ylRMdncx1V
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) August 22, 2023
Boria: Before I ask you a question about Kohli, let me ask you about Jos Buttler the leader. Hundreds and hundreds of runs for the Rajasthan Royals and the experience of playing all over India for years. Jos seems in control and has a very good team at his disposal, like you said. How much will his IPL experience and confidence help him?
Morgan: Firstly, let me just say that Jos Buttler is a phenomenal player, and one of the best white-ball players of all time. He tasted silverware in his very first World Cup [as captain] in Australia last year, and look at the impact he had. It tells you how good he is. And yes, the IPL experience will of course help him a great deal. It is not only him. A lot of the other England players have played the IPL and tasted success. Joe Root too played his first IPL this year. What this does is it gives you a feel of the conditions that you will get during the World Cup, and I believe the experience of playing T20 leagues across the world means the conditions aren’t that alien any more as they were earlier. That will make a big difference to Buttler and his team.
Boria: Virat Kohli…
Morgan: He is a phenomenal player. One of the best ever, and one of the greatest I have seen. And the best thing about Kohli is the way he conducts himself off the field as well. He loves the big stage and if you are an opponent, you don’t want to face him on a big stage like the World Cup, for you know he will stand up and deliver for his team. He has this ability to make the big occasions count, and we have seen that with him many times in the past. Again, he is a leader in that group and his presence in the change room will make a big difference to Rohit Sharma. Also, there will be players who feel the nerves, and with Kohli around, there can be nothing better for them. He will give them the confidence they need, and is a massive player for India in the World Cup. He harnesses all of the energy and hype around big games, and uses all of it to make a difference. Very few players in my generation could do that. And he will want to win. He is that type of competitor, and has that type of focus. He will want to lift that trophy.
Boria: Finally, let me ask you a slightly different question. There is a huge chance for cricket to make the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. What are your thoughts about cricket in the Olympics?
Morgan: It would be incredible to get cricket into the Olympics, just because of the number of eyes that watch the Olympics. Think of the kind of exposure it will give the game. Think of the eyeballs you will get. The Olympic games will accelerate the acceptance of the sport globally, and all of a sudden, there will be huge investment from governments as well. The game will spread. One of the issues with the game is the time we need for matches. May be a shorter format like the T10 lends itself to the Olympics. A shorter format makes it possible, and feasible perhaps. But cricket in the Olympics would be the most incredible development, because everyone will want that Olympic medal around their neck. I can’t wait to see that moment.