As the 2023 ODI World Cup approaches, Team India faces a selection headache with a wealth of in-form options. The tournament, hosted in India, has fans hopeful for a third World Cup victory, following their triumphs in 1983 and 2011. The team has shown excellent form in recent matches, winning the Asia Cup and beating Australia 2-1.
However, the challenge for India lies in selecting the ideal playing XI, especially in the middle order, where Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan are vying for just two slots, namely, No. 4 and 5. Another quandary revolves around the bowling lineup, specifically, whether India should opt for three fast bowlers or as many spinners.
In a discussion with Star Sports on their YouTube channel, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar backed Iyer and Rahul for the middle-order spots, highlighting their impressive recent performances. Suryakumar, who registered back-to-back half-centuries against Australia, and Ishan, who played a crucial innings of 82 against Pakistan, ultimately missed out in his selection.
Gavaskar’s India XI for the World Cup opener against Australia:
Rohit Sharma
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah
The cricket legend also suggested that if India opts for three spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was added to the squad recently, could be included.
In agreement, former cricketer Irfan Pathan supported the top-7 in Gavaskar’s team but emphasized the need for a strong bowling lineup to counter the dew factor, which could impact matches early in the tournament.
Pathan’s India XI for the World Cup:
Rohit Sharma
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah
Pathan argued for the inclusion of five genuine bowlers in the lineup due to the dew factor, suggesting that either three pacers or Ashwin, alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja, would provide a balanced attack.
As India gears up for the World Cup, these selection decisions will play a pivotal role in their campaign to secure another title on home soil.
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