The ICC Cricket World cup 2023 is going to be a massive tournament. No doubt about that. Especially for India, the host country that worships cricket.
MS Dhoni’s six-over long-on in the 2011 World Cup final is still the most precious moment for most Indians. The shortcomings in the next two World Cups only made things difficult for the men in blue and the fans. The emotions that ran over MSD’s runout in the 2019 semi-final would have set an urge for Indian fans to grab the World cup as soon as possible.
So 2023, the year in which the next ODI world cup is played, is the most anticipated one for most cricketing disciples.
Of course, this is too early to predict India’s probable ODI World Cup squad. India will be playing two T20 World Cups before that. The Indian cricket board is reported to have picked 20 probables, which they haven’t officially announced, and will continue to monitor them towards the big tournament in Indian winter.
However, our cricketing cells will never let us sit back. And, for a note, this prediction is made entirely based on the current scenario of the Indian team.
We have also added the chosen player’s age at the time of the event in a bracket next to their name to give you an idea of the Indian cricketers’ age when the next ODI World Cup takes place.
Our Indian Team for 2023 ODI World Cup
Let’s start picking the team, starting from the top order:
Top-order
Rohit Sharma (36)
This name will be up on the team list as an opener for the next 2-3 years.
According to reports, BCCI is keen on continuing Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian team for an extended period.
The quality and contribution he brings to his side are simply unmatchable.
His responsibility over his team’s batting will be at the next version by the time India plays their next big event in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma is our best pick in ODI any day for the opening slot for WC 2023.
Ishan Kishan (25)
Dhawan is the best in ICC tournaments, but his decline in form and the rise of another superstar, Ishan Kishan, are building doubts about the former’s inclusion in the big event.
Our pick, Ishan, scored a cracking double ton in his recent encounter against Bangladesh, becoming the 4th Indian to do so. He makes batting look easy and score runs in a pacy manner at the top – the one thing India desperately missed in the last some years.
With IPL, Ishan has already been exposed to playing under pressure and bigger scenarios. Hopefully, BCCI will sustain him to have a sufficient international experience before the big day arrives.
Virat Kohli (34)
The easiest of the picks! The former captain of the men in blue will be at his feet to clinch the World Cup. He was the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in Australia.
The Indian master batsman loves to face challenges, and the next home World Cup will be big.
In terms of a batsman, he is a great learner of the game, and these remaining years will put him far ahead of the position he is in now.
The no. 3 spot goes to Mr. Virat Kohli, undoubtedly. Also, read our prediction: “How many International centuries Virat Kohli will end up with, before retiring in cricket?”
Middle-order
No. 4: Suryakumar Yadav (33)
The new sensation, easily the T20 cricketer of the year 2022, Suryakumar Yadav, is in the form of his life, and there is no doubt that it will continue for some more time.
Already 33, SKY would like to capitalize on the little time left for him in the international arena, and this World Cup will be huge for him as he will be 37 when the next biggie arrives.
SKY hasn’t played a lot of 50-Overs formats, but he will be seen as the prime candidate to don the role of No. 4. And hopefully, his partnerships with Virat will continue to flow runs for the Men in Blue.
No. 5: KL Rahul (30)
An exceptional talent that has grown in the batting hub of International Cricket.
He is currently in a poor run of form, but as a player of his caliber, he will find the rhythm when the big stage arrives.
His specialty is he can adapt to any batting order with his unique talent of knocking the ball. Also, playing down the order will suit KL better than being the opener. He can play his style of cricket down the order, and he likes taking responsibility too.
Addedly, a wicketkeeper with safe hands.
The most elegant batsman who can be the best role player. Give him a target, he will get it done for the side.
No. 6: Hardik Pandya (29)
Hardik Pandya is a perfect all-rounder whose only need now is a stage to showcase his blistering improvisation in all three departments.
The Indian vice-captain can be the perfect finisher with his extraordinary bat swing and can be a replacement for MSD’s job at death overs.
His wicket-taking ability in bowling might help at crucial stages.
The younger Pandya brother can be a nightmare for the opposition bowlers.
No. 7: Ravindra Jadeja (34)
Ravindra Jadeja can adapt well in all three departments.
Currently injured, the Indian all-rounder is expected to be back in the right shape when the situation arises.
He can provide some meaningful innings with the bat whenever needed, and him batting at seven will only strengthen the line-up.
His runs containment in bowling at the middle-overs can work as the key factor to breaking some key partnerships.
Jaddu’s exceptional fielding skill is always a great asset to the team.
The most important “Team player”.
Bowlers / Tailenders
No. 8: Mohammed Siraj (29)
The natural speedster who makes it look easy to bowl at deadly speed.
Pace variations are the indispensable quality of this young Hyderabad-born bowler.
A raw talent possessed in a young athletic body.
No. 9: Mohammed Shami (32)
The Indian seam bowler can bowl on the stumps with insane consistency.
His top five bowling spells tells you he can get you the leading batsman of the opponent team.
His ability to bring plenty of variation to his bowling will be the key.
No. 10: Yuzvendra Chahal (32)
Chahal, the wristy spinner, can pick wickets in the middle overs.
Quite expensive, but he can turn the match when he gets his vibes.
Jadeja’s tight bowling from the other end will help Yuzi.
No. 11: Jasprit Bumrah (29)
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most intellectual bowlers in International cricket currently.
Bumrah is the Kohli of the bowling department. His best quality is his ability to correct his mistakes faster than anyone.
He is well aware of his SWOT, which makes him lethal.
The bowler against whom the batters will stay quiet.
The Remaining Five
Rishabh Pant (26)
With his ability, Pant can be a part of any team.
The news of him being involved in an accident is a big worry, and we, from Cricindeed, wish him the fastest recovery.
He has been phenomenal in the longer format over the years. If he can understand the role in the other two formats of the game, he will be a tough contender for KL Rahul’s spot in the team.
All he needs is two more good innings, and he will be unavoidable in the playing XI.
Shubman Gill (23)
Gill is an underrated batsman who hasn’t got many favorable situations in white-ball cricket to showcase his skill set.
His aggression and techniques can be a greater asset for the Indian side.
All he needs is some exposure and some guidance from his seniors.
This modern-day cricketer is capable of changing the dimension of the middle order.
Shreyas Iyer (28)
The dependability on this lad will be higher in future years.
His place on the side will clash with the SKY, who has become an unavoidable force on the side. The management deciding to open with Virat and put Shreyas at No.3 is the only way for the Delhi bloke to be in. The next few months will be crucial for both Ishan and Shreyas to put themselves in.
The captaining skills he is acquiring from the Kolkata Knight Riders camp would help him play with more responsibility in the middle.
His range-hitting shots of spinners will be vital to dominate in the middle overs.
Kuldeep Yadav (28)
A bowler who can be trusted on the wicket-taking part.
His inclusion must be coming as a surprise for a lot. But the rise of Kuldeep is so apparent, and India might find his value unavoidable in the home condition.
The young and experienced wrist-spinner, at that time of the World Cup, would have gotten much more exposure in the absence of MS Dhoni.
He can be the third spinner if India needs to go with an extra spinning option, which is a likely idea in Indian conditions.
Arshdeep Singh (24)
The swing bowler who can make huge impacts with his new-ball bowling skill.
His death over bowling is absolutely on mark, and we saw the captain’s trust in him in those important games in the T20 WC last year.
His IPL camp with PBKS in the future edition will be excellent learning for the seamer.
Arshdeep’s role will be significant because of the long-term duration of the tournament. Also, he can give the much-needed left-arm angle for the line-up.
Arshdeep vs Siraj will be a healthy competition for Team India.
So our probable Indian squad for the World Cup 2023 looks like:
Rohit Sharma (VC), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli (C), Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
The Wrap!
So we have five pure batters, two all-rounders, a wrist spinner, and three seamers in our playing eleven for the most anticipated tournament in cricket. Even the replacement players are the best in their own business—one of the biggest strengths of Team India.
If there is one spot that is doubtful of the lot is the spot of Kuldeep Yadav. The young chinaman bowler will have stiff competition from other players like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. It will be a fierce battle between these bowlers, who can also bat.
Too early to say anything, but this is one of the most potent combinations for the Indian team.
Of course, the quality of domestic cricket in India has reached a certain level where we can expect extraordinary talents to come to the team anytime between the three years. The likes of Prithvi Shaw, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik, Mayank Agarwal, and Navdeep Saini have been consistently good in domestic tournaments and IPL editions. We might see a few changes in the above list by the time we get close to the World Cup.
Currently, the best thing BCCI has found is SKY batting at No.4, which was the Indian team’s only drawback in the last ODI WC in England.
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