Team India is gearing up for the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will be held in India. The team has been undergoing a rebuilding process in recent years, but it has shown signs of improvement in recent months.Β
Batting is one of the positive aspects of the team which is led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are two of the best batsmen in the world. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav have also been in good form, and they will be important players for the team in the World Cup.Β
The team's bowling attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah, who is one of the best bowlers in the world. He will be supported by Mohammed Shami. Cricket betting sites have ODI World Cup odds with them.
The squad is not yet announced by the selection committee but here are 5 important points that selectors will have to take care of while selecting the right team for the tournament.
1) The Number 4 Problem
Since the retirement of Yuvraj Singh, team India has struggled to find a stable number 4 batsman. There have been many names who have come and gone but none were as good as Yuvraj Singh. In recent times, Suryakumar Yadav has performed well but his accolades are much more positive in the T20 format.Β
Selectors have already tried Sanju Samson and Axar Patel but both players failed to impress. Shreyas Iyer is expected to be back in the team right before the start of the World Cup but the bigger question is what if he fails to perform.
2) Who are the backup batsmen?
Cricket is a physically demanding sport, and injuries are always a possibility. Having a backup batsman available means that the team will not be weakened if one of their regular batsmen is injured. During the 2011 tournament, team India had Suresh Raina as the backup batsman and he was used when Yusuf Pathan got injured.Β
As of now, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan are two names that can be used and Sanju Samson can also be part of the same squad but his inconsistency is a much bigger question.
3) Shardul Thakur or Axar Patel?
Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel are both very talented all-rounders. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses. Thakur is a more versatile bowler, as he can bowl both fast and spin. He is also a better fielder than Patel. However, Patel is a better batsman than Thakur.Β
If we ignore the West Indies tour, Axar has always been a deadly spinner and can pick wickets in the middle overs. Shardul Thakur canβt be used as an allrounder but if selectors go with Axar Patel, Indiaβs batting lineup will have more depth and a player who can play big shots during the death overs.
4) Dilemma on Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal has slowly disappeared from the list of the Indian selectors when it comes to the ODI format. In the past, Chahal has been a crucial player for Team India but for the past year, he has not displayed his ferociousness.Β
In the presence of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal might not have a place in the squad and we might not see him in the World Cup. Considering the squad for the Asia Cup, it is a notification for Chahal that he wonβt be named in the squad.
5) Will Jasprit Bumrah play all matches in the World Cup 2023?
After a year, Jasprit Bumrah has made his comeback and has fully recovered from his back injury. However, considering him for all the World Cup fixtures might create some problems for the player again.Β
Selectors should look for a backup for Bumrah and he should be made part of only crucial matches in the World Cup. Bumrahβs presence in the bowling unit against teams like Australia, New Zealand, England, and Pakistan will be a major boost to the confidence.
