2023 ODI World Cup: Changes in Indian Squad from 2019 World Cup

The 15-member Indian team for the forthcoming ODI World Cup 2023, which is scheduled to start on October 5 in India, was revealed by the country’s top cricket regulatory body, the BCCI, on Tuesday, September 5. Notably, Team India’s World Cup campaign will get off on October 8 in Chennai against Australia and conclude on October 11 against Afghanistan. The most anticipated game between them and Pakistan will take place on October 14 in Ahmedabad.

Many players on the team will be participating in the forthcoming big game for the first time.It’s important to notice that a number of the Indian squad members from the 2019 World Cup weren’t chosen this time, and their spots were filled by athletes who are now in good shape or have shown promise over the last several months..

Lets keep a light on the changes in the squad from 2019 world Cup:

Shardul Thakur in place of Vijay Shankar

The inclusion of Vijay Shankar in the Indian World Cup team for 2019 caused a significant problem because it eliminated Ambati Rayudu, who had spent the whole previous year being prepared for the no. 4 places. Fascinatingly, MSK Prasad, the BCCI’s then-chief selector, quickly uttered the famous “3D player” remark. Notably, Shankar participated in three matches during the 2019 World Cup, scoring 58 runs and taking two wickets.

Unfortunately, Shankar ended up breaking his toe during a practice. Shankar was thus replaced in the middle of the competition. This time, instead of Hardik Pandya, the side will have Shardul Thakur, a quick bowling all-rounder with a penchant for wicket-taking. We have seen time and time again that Thakur always makes the crucial gains when the captain needs them, despite making some runs.

He is the workhorse of the Indian Cricket squad, which is a fair statement. In addition, Shardul Thakur offers the batting depth at number 8 that captain Rohit Sharma recently mentioned during a press conference. It will be intriguing to watch whether the Mumbai all-rounder performs the ‘Golden Arm’ for team India once more at the forthcoming major tournament.

Axar Patel in place of Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 12 wickets at the 2019 World Cup, with a best of 4/51. The most costly bowling numbers by an Indian in the World Cup were recorded by him when he was pillaged for 88 runs against England. Chahal has, however, lost favour with the Indian management over the past two years, as evidenced by his exclusion from the last two T20 World Cup rosters.

As a result, he is no longer a member of the Indian squad. Kuldeep Yadav has been chosen ahead of him as the favoured wrist spinner for 2023. Axar Patel has been added as an additional spin option for all-rounders in the meanwhile. It is important to note that putting him forward in the starting XI would be challenging for both the selectors and the captain.

With his outstanding achievements for Team India throughout the years, Ravindra Jadeja has already attracted attention. Therefore, including him in the side that will be in action on the ground may prove to be a wise tactical choice. 

Mohammed Siraj in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar

During the 2019 World Cup, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had taken 10 wickets in 6 games. However, his participation in the major event was cut short by injury. One of the best swing players, Bhuvneshwar, has had trouble with injuries and his performance since the World Cup in England. The last time the swing king represented India was during the T20 World Cup 2022 preparations. 

After that, Mohammed Siraj, a pacer from Hyderabad, rose to the challenge, especially in light of the previous year. The bowler had flawless ball-swinging skills and frequently and reliably took out the top-order hitters of the opposition. Given how delicate Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s body has been, Siraj has been favoured in lengthier forms.

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Following the 2019 ODI World Cup, Mohammed Siraj has distinguished himself by participating in 25 ODIs for India. The bowler has taken 46 wickets from 24 innings within this brief span. The spinner has two four-wicket hauls to his credit and a respectable economy of 4.71, which is quite excellent. Furthermore, he had a respectable ODI bowling performance, scooping up a wicket almost every 24 balls. In order to give the home team an advantage when it comes to selecting early wickets in the 50-over format, the management will look to him to inflict damage on the top-order batsmen of the opponents.

Ishan Kishan in place of Dinesh Kartik

Dinesh Karthik served as MS Dhoni’s backup wicketkeeper at the 2019 World Cup. He did, however, get to play in three games as a pure hitter, although he had limited success. His performance in the pivotal semi final encounter against New Zealand fell short of the high expectations, and the game ended his ODI career for India. 

This time, India may select their wicketkeeper from a list of candidates that includes Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul. Rahul recently returned from a six-month absence due to surgery, but Kishan has been on fire in ODIs, smashing four half-centuries in four straight games. Sanju Samson may be a keeper-batter, but the club’s management has chosen to support Rahul and Kishan ahead of him to do the task for the team.

While Rahul hasn’t yet participated for India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, captain Rohit Sharma and management have shown confidence in the batter from Bangalore. Rahul, according to Team India, gives the balance that a team needs in the middle order, particularly while competing in a World Cup. As a result, he is a player who can not only bat as an opener but also contribute well if it becomes necessary to bat down in the order. Nevertheless, at this time. In the intense match against Pakistan, Ishan Kishan demonstrated his mature skills. Because of this, the group may decide to use him as the starter wicketkeeper-batter till Rahul is ready for the 2019 ODI World Cup.

Shubman Gill in place of Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan, the ICC (International Cricket Council) tournament’s supremo, had a difficult time in the 2019 World Cup. Even though the batter crushed Australia for 117 runs, she was unable to advance in the mega-event. Dhawan suffered a fractured thumb during the match with Australia. The southpaw had to go home for surgery as a result.

Shikhar Dhawan, who is currently 37, last competed in an ODI for India in December 2022 against Bangladesh. The BCCI selectors moved beyond Dhawan when Shubman Gill rose to the top and Ishan Kishan emerged as a left-handed opening option, and they have since given the young players a lot of playing time. Shubman Gill has played in 20 matches and has 20 batting appearances in the 50-over format.

He scored 1015 runs in these games, a mind-boggling average of 59.70. He also kept up a remarkable strike rate of 101.39. Additionally, Gill has hit three centuries and four half-centuries in the past year. Commendably, the batter from Punjab also attempted to hit a double ton.

Shreyas Iyer in place of Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was unfortunately not accessible as he is currently recovering from injuries sustained in a near call car accident last year. Pant may have been a game-changer for India in the World Cup at home. Notably, Pant played four matches for the Indian squad during the 2019 World Cup, earning 116 runs with a top score of 48. Pant was flown in as Shikhar Dhawan’s injured replacement. Shreyas Iyer, who missed out on the 2019 World Cup, has been selected for the Indian team’s 2023 World Cup squad.

He too returned to the team after missing several months owing to back surgery. Iyer did look in terrific form against Pakistan in his most recent appearance in the current Asia Cup 2023, but he was unable to turn his 14-run knock into a significant innings. The team management has supported him by providing him a spot in the World Cup due to his capacity to make huge shots in crucial circumstances.

In the upcoming games of the present intercontinental tournament, it would be intriguing to observe how Shreyas Iyer performs. It is important to note that the batter went on to score a fantastic 199 when participating in a mock simulation game in Bangalore during his recovery time. This dispelled any concerns about his physical condition before the team’s flight to participate in the Asia Cup. 

These are the changes that are being made to the Indian Squad for the 2019 World Cup.  Are these players getting the right chance and some miss the chance for in the squad of 2023 ODI World Cup.

FAQ

Q- How likely is it that India will win the World Cup?

A- One of the favourites to win the World Cup is India. The team will be going for their third ODI World Cup championship and has a good roster and home advantage. India will need to play their best cricket, though, if they are to win the competition and take home the trophy.

Q- Why were Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill chosen?

A- They were chosen because they are young, skilled batsmen who have been playing well lately: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan. In his past five ODI games, Gill has scored two hundreds; in his last ten ODI games, Iyer has scored three centuries; and in his most recent ten ODI games, Kishan has scored two centuries.

Q- Why weren’t MS Dhoni, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Shikhar Dhawan chosen?

A- Shikhar Dhawan was dropped as a result of his recent lacklustre performance. Since 2019, he has not recorded a century in an ODI. Additionally dropped because of his poor form was Yuzvendra Chahal. In his last 10 ODI games, he has only grabbed 12 wickets. Because MS Dhoni is no longer participating in international cricket, he was not chosen.

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