India have already named their squad for the upcoming World Cup 2023. With the fanfare that will surround them, India could finally make the coveted title their own. The 15 me are fighting for the dream that has eluded their country since 2011.
India have won the ODI World Cup in 1983 and 2011. However, the side has massively underperformed in recent ICC tournaments. For a change, they will not enter the competition as favorites; however, they are still one of the top ODI teams in the world.
Contents
India ODI World Cup squad
India have a strong squad at their disposal and it doesn’t spring a surprise that they will go into the tournament as one of the favorites.
Specialist batsmen
Although India's batters are going through a rut, they can very well hit form come the World Cup.
- Rohit Sharma
The leader-in-charge, Rohit Sharma, will be seen opening for India. However, it has not been easy going for Rohit with regards to his batting and captaincy. Still, do not forget that he is the guy to have scored as many as five centuries in the ODI World Cup 2019. And you never know, we may get to witness the vintage side of Rohit again.
- Shubman Gill
Although Shubman Gill's stuttering form has come to haunt India on the West Indies tour, there is no doubt about his place in the India World Cup squad. The opener is a white-ball prodigy, and looking at how his game is, he is best-suited to play ODI cricket. He will have a say in India's chances of winning the upcoming World Cup.
- Virat Kohli
The King, the phenomenon, the greatest white-ball batter of this generation. You ought to run out of words to describe Virat Kohli. Already a world champion, Kohli does not have a brilliant record in the ODI World Cups, and the nearing edition presents an opportunity for him to improve this.
- Suryakumar Yadav
Many would not agree, but Suryakumar Yadav was always a must in the India ODI World Cup squad. Why? Who does India have as their finisher? Hardik Pandya is no longer the hitter he used to be. Ravindra Jadeja, too, may not be able to give the required impetus while batting lower down the order. Despite having had horrendous ODI outings so far, Suryakumar brings to the table what no other Indian batter does.
- Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has recovered from his back injury. If he stays fit, he can walk even into the playing XI. Iyer ended India's quest for a reliable No. 4 in ODI cricket. He, while batting at that position, adds solidity to their middle order.
When Iyer's fitness was under scrutiny, India had Sanju Samson as one of the options to be included in the squad. However, Samson did not find a place in the squad.
Wicketkeepers
There are two wicketkeepers in the India ODI World Cup squad.
- KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been a hit-and-miss player in international cricket. However, when he has batted in the middle order in the ODI format, he has flourished more often than not. Rahul has been in prime form since returning from any injury layoff, having scored a century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
KL Rahul will undergo a fitness test on 18th August. The selectors will take a call on his inclusion for Asia Cup 2023 after that. (Indian Express). pic.twitter.com/2AwJ4dkl4U
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 11, 2023
- Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan will be the backup wicketkeeper. Although India tried him as an opener in the ODIs versus the West Indies and he scored three consecutive fifties, he will have to bat in the middle order if Rahul gets injured.
All-rounders
India's all-rounders exhibit high versatility, and the following all-rounders are picked in the India ODI World Cup squad:
- Ravindra Jadeja
A utility player, Ravindra Jadeja, is a solid batter, intelligent left-arm spinner, and gun fielder. He is an all-rounder in a literal sense, contributing on all fronts.
- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is a pace-bowling all-rounder. He has developed the tricks to bowl with the new ball and can be used as a wicket-taking option in the middle overs as well. Although he may not be the hard-hitter he was a few years ago, he is still a capable enough middle-order batter and forms the core of the India ODI World Cup squad.
- Shardul Thakur
India has another all-rounder in Shardul Thakur. As India have been suffering from a lack of depth in their batting order in white-ball cricket, they can bring in Shardul to solve this problem by using him as their no. 8. But it is unlikely to happen.
4. Axar Patel
India have added Axar Patel to their squad. But there is a chance that might be able to get fit for the World Cup. If he stays unfit, then India are likely to bring in Ravi Ashwin, who has done well in the series against Australia. Axar's inclusion also meant that Yuzvendra Chahal was left out.
Specialist bowlers
India have three pacers and one spinner as their specialist bowlers.
- Jasprit Bumrah
India's World Cup hopes rely a lot on Jasprit Bumrah. A fit Bumrah will be a boon for them. Returning from an injury, Bumrah captained India in the T20I series against Ireland and also played in the Asia Cup.
Sigh of relief for Indian fans. Jasprit Bumrah bowling full throttle at the NCA. #JaspritBumrah pic.twitter.com/bb3fhBVSsS
— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) August 12, 2023
- Mohammad Shami
Mohammed Shami recently picked up a five-wicket haul against Australia at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and will be pretty high on confidence before the World Cup.
- Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has been a revelation for India, especially after how he performed in the Asia Cup final where he picked up six wickets against Sri Lanka. He has been India's go-to pacer in the absence of Bumrah.
- Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner)
Kuldeep Yadav has cemented his place as India's leading spinner in white-ball cricket. Not long ago, Kuldeep was in a horrendous phase. But the chinaman has transformed into a genuine wicket-taker, expanding his skills further beyond the horizon of the middle overs.
Probable India ODI World Cup 2023 playing XI
India's ODI World Cup 2023 playing XI could consist of the following players:
- Rohit Sharma (captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wicketkeeper)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammad Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
While the India ODI World Cup squad looks formidable, there are a few fitness issues to address. India may be without Axar Patel. He is an important part of India's ODI set-up. His backup is likely to be R Ashwin, who picked up three wickets in the Indore ODI against Australia.
India is also without a proper finisher. Suryakumar can fulfil this role, but for him to be included in the XI, Iyer would have to be left out, which again leads to a problem. Who will bat at No. 4?
Also, there is a lack of batting depth. Shardul may not have been a great ODI batter, but given that he knows how to bat, India must find a way to push him into their XI. But again, it's impossible, as to improve this, India would have to sacrifice on some other aspect.
For India to have a shot at the World Cup trophy, they must hope that things fall into place, which is looking very unlikely considering how they are faring currently.
