ICC
India Today
Mid-day
The Indian team is once again ready to witness a home-ground World Cup scenario. The team is all set, with R. Ashwin making his entry into the team at the very last minute. India, which looks in good form, must be in good touch after lifting the 2023 Asia Cup.
THE BATTING CULT
Skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, and Virat Kohli give India a strong start, whereas KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer take on the middle order. The Indians have a lack of left-handers; this is where we will see Ishan Kishan’s key role for the team.
THE BOWLING BAND
India might not have a strong left-arm seamer as well as spinners, but the team has two deadly duos with the ball. Jasprit Bumrah will play as the key element in fleeting spells, whereas Mohammed Siraj will be looking for seam and swing with the new white Kookaburra.
Kuldeep Yadav, who made a promising comeback in the ODIs, will be crucial during the middle overs, accompanied by Hardik Pandya.
KEY PLAYERS
1. VIRAT KOHLI & SHUBHMAN GILL
Both Kohli and Gill have been in good touch with their bats and have been scoring some stunning hundreds in the ODIs. Gill, as a youngster, has the potential to give India a fiery start that can dominate any bowling side. With a treasury of shots in his pocket, Gill can take the game away from the opposition. Talking about Kohli, we all know what he can do once he gets going. Handling pressure is Kohli’s supremacy, and that can be dangerous for opponents, even with the deadliest bowling unit. Kohli has already scored three ODI hundreds and two ODI fifties this year and will be looking to score big in the tournament. Let us also not forget the hitman, Rohit Sharma. He might not have scored tons but has shown some flow, which, once converted, can be lethal. Very, very lethal.
2. JASPREET BUMRAH
The backbone of the Indian bowling unit is back after a long injury and is set to go on fire. He might have only played six matches with eight wickets in 2023, but his recovery might have put all the participants in worry. His Yorkers are furious and can change the game even in the very last over. Every batter out there must be looking forward to facing Bumrah without walking back to the pavilion. Let’s see how the resurrection of Bumrah works for India in the ICC Men’s 2023 World Cup.
India has so far played 21 ODI matches in 2023, winning 15 and losing five, with one match left without any result. The win ratio (71.43) of India seems high, which can be a huge advantage for the men in blue. The team would be looking forward to lifting the cup once again after losing in the semi-finals against New Zealand in the last World Cup.
INDIAN SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jaspreet Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav
