Cricket World Cup 2023 Preview — Part 1: India
In just a few weeks, the cricketing world's attention will hone in on the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India. 4 years after England’s infamous win at Lord’s, the sport's most prized competition returns and will be as competitive as ever. In this preview, I am going to lay down my predictions and look at each major team’s chances. Part 1 — India:
Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
The last time India hosted the World Cup back in 2011, Dhoni’s men ended up lifting the trophy. Over a decade later, the tournament returns to India and the host nation finds themselves as favourites but do they deserve this label?
India’s biggest problem is the team balance. In almost every other team, a batter in the top 5 bowls, (South Africa — Markram, England — Root, New Zealand — Mitchell, Australia — Marsh, Pakistan — Iftikhar), allowing for 7 bowling options. India does not have this luxury without sacrificing batting power. Rohit joked in a recent press conference that he and Virat Kohli may have to bowl some overs in the World Cup. However, with Pandya, Jadeja, and Axar having lingering injury issues, it may not be too far-fetched to see Rohit and Kohli having to bowl in the World Cup. This is why India has missed Raina and Yuvraj who were able to bowl in the middle overs, taking the pressure off their main bowlers.
Another question mark for India is the number 4 spot, an issue that has been around since the 2019 World Cup. Their main choices consist of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav. Shreyas returned to form today with an impressive 105 (90) against one of the favorites, Australia. Pre-injury, Iyer was arguably India’s best white ball batter, averaging 55.69 in ODI cricket in 2022. In his absence, Kishan has stepped up, scoring 4 fifties in the format. However, his recent form has taken a decline and Iyer seems to be India’s favorite at the number 4 spot. Finally, India picked Suryakumar Yadav, arguably the best T20I batter in the world but he has previously struggled for form in the longer format, registering back to back to back golden ducks against Australia earlier this year. However, he has averaged 45.20 in ODI’s since his impressive IPL season, putting him back in the race for the number 4 spot.
One man who has fought hard and proved why he should be in the World Cup squad is Ravi Ashwin. In the ongoing Australia series, he has taken 4 wickets at an economy of 5.18. Considering India’s other options for the number 8 spot are Axar Patel, who is extremely injury-prone, and Shardul Thakur, who has a career ODI economy rate of 6.21, Ashwin could find himself in the squad before September 28th (deadline for altering World Cup squads). In my opinion, Ashwin is the best batter out of 3 and is without a doubt a better bowler, especially in Indian conditions.
My Starting XI:
- Rohit Sharma ( C )
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel (Ashwin if he is put into the squad)
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
Predictions
Best Batter/Most Runs — KL Rahul
Rahul has been averaging 93 since his return from injury and he averages 52 at the number 5 spot in ODI cricket. Gill’s blistering form could also see him in the race for most runs however I think Rahul will prosper in the middle overs against the spinners.
Best Bowler/Most Wickets — Mohammed Siraj
Off the back of one of the greatest bowling spells in ODI cricket history, as well as being India’s number-one pace bowler during Bumrah’s injury, I believe Siraj will take a lot of confidence into the World Cup and he can hopefully fill a Bhuveneshwar Kumar sized void with the new ball.
Dark Horse — Kuldeep Yadav
After the 2019 World Cup, Kuldeep’s career never really reached the highs it was projected to. However, after a return to peak fitness and a dominant Asia Cup performance, the stars have aligned as Kuldeep will get another go at the World Cup, and this time in conditions that suit him.
Underwhelming Player — Axar Patel
Axar hasn't hit an ODI fifty in 2023 and has 14 wickets in his last 16 matches. On top of that, he has been in and out of injury so cannot be relied on to bowl 10 overs every game. In conditions that will favor the spinners, I believe Axar may be a waste of a spot in the team.
Player of the Tournament — Hardik Pandya
Arguably the best white ball all-rounder in the world, Pandya has the ability to impact the game with the bat, the ball, and in the field. His batting has matured since taking on larger responsibilities but that is not to say he has lost his power and striking abilities.
Final thoughts
For me, the 28th of September is the biggest date for India before the World Cup as they need to add Ashwin to their squad if they are going to boost their chances of winning, especially as they already have a left arm off spinner, in Jadeja playing in the teams. Ashwin will provide some variation in the attack. I believe he could be the key between a semi-final and a final with his match-winning abilities with bat and ball. As I said before, India enter into the tournament as favorites and with an immense amount of pressure on them. However, looking at their recent performances in the Asia Cup and against Australia, India is my favorites to win the 2023 ICC World Cup.
