India’s thirst for an ICC trophy continues with the forthcoming 2023 ODI World Cup being held in India. The hosts have an excellent opportunity of repeating their 2011 ODI World Cup victory.
In the previous few ODIs, India has begun to give opportunities to young players in the absence of senior players. India has used 44 players in 39 One-Day Internationals since the 2019 World Cup. The most typical reasons are injuries, workload management, or other obligations of regular players in other formats. As a result, only six players have played in at least 20 of those games.
The key reason for India’s success in the last ODI World Cups was the top order scoring massive runs throughout the competition. Rohit Sharma scored 648 runs in nine innings to lead the ODI World Cup in 2019. While the second top run-scorer, Sachin Tendulkar, scored 482 runs in nine innings in 2011. During the last t20 world cup, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav led the batting order. In all tournaments, however, India’s difficulty is a lack of choices when someone falls drastically at the top. Suryakumar Yadav, on the other hand, appears to be getting the job done this time.
The openers of the 2023 ODI World Cup-
When Rohit Sharma was on a break, India gave Shubman Gill a lot of chances as an opener. Gill has taken advantage of the opportunities, scoring 629 runs in just 13 innings, including four half-centuries and one century. In addition to Gill, India has backup alternatives in the form of Rahul Tripathi and Rajat Patidar. The latter, who has amassed 1648 runs in 51 List A games, has been in outstanding form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022. Tripathi has been a dynamic opener, hitting runs against strong bowling attacks throughout the competition.
The 2023 ODI World Cup cricket has had a significant impact on the 50-over format, and the majority of the top ODI teams, including world champions England, aim the powerplay to gain a strong start. This relieves pressure on the lower order to go hammer and tongs in the final ten overs while increasing the team’s chances of frequently scoring more than 350. Suryakumar Yadav has proven to be the mainstay of India’s batting over the last year or so. As a result, he must face as many balls as possible to offer India an opportunity to produce large totals. His ability to attack good deliveries and generate runs quickly means he can create the groundwork for big scores. India’s conservative approach in the powerplay cost them the T20 World Cup. If they want to reclaim the title they won in 2011, they should put him at the top-middle order.
The top orders
Virat was one of India’s biggest stars this season, leading the batting statistics with 296 runs in six innings at an average of 98.66 and four fifties. He also smashed multiple batting records in the tournament and became the top run scorer in 2023 ODI WC history, finishing with 1,141 runs in 25 matches, 14 fifties, and an average of 81.50.
Virat has been in excellent form since returning to the sport following a hiatus caused by months of poor form during the Asia Cup. He scored 700 runs in 16 innings, averaging 70.00. He was able to smash his much-anticipated 71st international ton and also struck seven fifties.
With veteran players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli confirmed in the ‘top order,’ India will want to give rookies. Like Suryakumar, Gill, Tripathi, and Patidar – the majority of the opportunities to adjust to the team environment and cement their spots in the squad.
One of India’s major issues in the past ODI World Cup was a lack of suitable options at number four in the batting order. They had no idea who would be their number four hitter until that harrowing semi-final against New Zealand. However, in the upcoming ODI World Cup, India has multiple options in the middle order who have excellent skills against spinners who come into the game in the middle phase.
Middle orders
Shreyas Iyer has been in fantastic form in this format of the game. With five 50+ scores and one century in his previous eight innings. Ranked fourth, they can take on spinners from the first ball.
KL Rahul hasn’t played ODI cricket in four months, but he has been terrific for India at number four, accumulating 1655 runs in 45 ODI games with a strike rate of 87.86. Including Sanju Samson in the middle order can also help India increase the pace of the innings. The Kerala hitter demonstrated in the home South Africa series last month. Samson has scored at a strike rate of 104.76 in 11 ODIs, with two half-centuries. But he should be given more opportunities before the upcoming event. With his aggressive hitting, left-hander Rishabh Pant can also be a fantastic option in this phase.
The bowling department with probable all-rounders
Hardik Pandya is expected to be ranked fifth or sixth, depending on the game’s condition. Ravindra Jadeja has been an important member of India’s squad. But his absence due to a knee injury has caused the team a lot of anguish recently. Deepak Chahar is another possibility in that phase. He has been excellent with the new ball, getting wickets.
In contrast, also possesses the uncommon ability to score match-winning innings further down the order, even though there are a few other choices, such as Axar Patel, Deepak Hooda, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Shardul Thakur. India may search for someone steady at that position, and one of Sundar or Chahar can assist Jadeja.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami are certainties in the bowling department. As well as Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg spin, India may explore some new choices in their bowling mix. Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pace bowler, might be a beneficial option. While Umran Malik, a quick bowler, could take wickets in the middle of the game. Kuldeep Sen is another viable option.
With less than a year until the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, India should look at their pool of players and continue to give them as many chances as possible so that they can perform to the best of their abilities as a team.
