The Indian cricket team is one of the most successful teams in the history of cricket. They have won the ICC Cricket World Cup twice, in 1983 and 2011, and have been runners-up twice as well. With the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 just around the corner, the Indian selectors have announced a preliminary squad of 16 players.
The Indian cricket board has scheduled an important year for Indian cricket in 2023, with the upcoming home 50-over World Cup. Since their 2011 triumph at home, the Indian team has not won a World Cup trophy. Over the past 12 years, India has missed out on reaching the World Cup final twice and instead achieved semi-final finishes in 2015 and 2019. The Men in Blue, who have a win percentage of 58.33%, notched up 14 wins in the past year, demonstrating that the team was performing at a high level but still has significant room for improvement.
Batsmen:
The batting department looks strong with the inclusion of some of the best batsmen in the world. The opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has been one of the most successful opening partnerships in ODI cricket in recent years. The middle order consists of the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya, who are all capable of changing the game with their aggressive stroke play.
The selectors have also included some promising youngsters in the squad, such as Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav. These players have been in great form in domestic cricket and have already made an impact in international cricket.
Bowlers:
Fast Bowlers:
In the bowling department, India has always been known for producing world-class bowlers, and the current squad is no different. The pace attack consists of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep singh. Bumrah and Shami have been two of the most successful bowlers in world cricket in recent years, and their experience will be crucial for India’s chances in the tournament.
Spinners:
The spin department looks equally strong with the inclusion of the world’s best spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, along with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The trio has been successful in the past and is expected to play a key role in India’s campaign.
All Rounders:
The selectors have also included some all-rounders in the squad, such as Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, who can contribute with both bat and ball. This will provide flexibility to the team in terms of team composition and strategy. Alongside, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar might as well be added to the list
One of the key strengths of the Indian team is its fielding. The current squad is no exception, with some of the best fielders in the world, such as Kohli, Jadeja, and Pandya. Their athleticism and agility on the field can make a big difference in crucial moments of the game.
However, there were some notable exclusions from the squad as well. The selectors did not include veteran spin bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been in great form in recent times. The exclusion of Ashwin has raised some eyebrows, but the selectors have indicated that they are looking to invest in younger spinners for the future.
Another notable exclusion was that of Shreyas Iyer, who had a fantastic debut series against England earlier this year. Iyer’s exclusion has surprised many cricket experts, as he has been performing consistently in domestic cricket and was expected to be in the squad.
In addition to this squad, the selectors have also named four standby players who will be available to replace any injured player during the tournament. The standby players include fast bowlers Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur, all-rounder Axar Patel, and batsman Mayank Agarwal.
Probable Indian Squad for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023
Top order:
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill
Others:
Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan
Middle order:
KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav
Others:
Shreyas Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Rajat Patidar, Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson
All Rounders:
Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
Others:
Shahbaz Ahmed
Spinners:
Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
Fast Bowlers:
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
The Indian team has a strong record in ICC tournaments. Having reached the semi-finals or finals of most of the major tournaments in recent years. However, they have not won a major ICC tournament since the 2011 Champions Trophy, and they will be eager to break the jinx and win the World Cup.
The team management and coaching staff will have a crucial role to play in the success of the team. The current coaching staff includes head coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, and bowling coach Bharat Arun, among others.
In conclusion, the Indian squad for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 looks strong and well-balanced. With a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, the team has the potential to go all the way in the tournament.
However, the road ahead will not be easy, as the competition will be tough with the likes of Australia, England, and New Zealand also fielding strong teams. The Indian team will have to perform at their best to achieve their goal of winning the World Cup for the third time.
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