Indian Cricket Team 15-member squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Predicted

India will host the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 from 5th October.

As the cricketing world gears up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, all eyes are on the Indian cricket team. With the passion and fervor for cricket running deep in the nation’s veins, the selection of the Indian squad is a matter of intense speculation and debate. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces the challenging task of picking the best 15 to represent the country on the global stage.

In the lead-up to their much-anticipated World Cup campaign, the Indian cricket team are set to face a challenging lineup of matches. After concluding a multi-format series against the West Indies in their away tour, the team will then travel to Ireland to participate in a thrilling three-match T20I series. Then India will go to Sri Lanka to play the Asia Cup. To wrap-up the pre-World Cup fixtures, India will host Australia for a three-match ODI series, offering an intense preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

India’s World Cup campaign features an exhilarating lineup of matches, commencing on October 8 against Australia in Chennai. The team will then face Afghanistan in Delhi, Pakistan in Ahmedabad, Bangladesh in Pune, New Zealand in Dharamshala, England in Lucknow before heading to Mumbai to face Sri Lanka on 2nd November and then play South Africa and Netherlands in last two league matches in Kolkata and Bengaluru respectively.

On that note, Let’s take a look at a probable India squad to take part in the upcoming Cricket World Cup at home.

Predicted Indian Cricket Team squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

1. Rohit Sharma (Captain): 

With impressive leadership skills and a remarkable batting record, Rohit Sharma is the natural choice to lead the Indian team in the World Cup. Known for his prolific ability to score big runs, Rohit has been a consistent performer in limited-overs cricket. His captaincy experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL) further adds to his credentials. With over 9,000 runs in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three double-centuries to his name, he is the undisputed leader in the Indian batting line-up. In World Cup history, Rohit has been a prolific performer, amassing 330 runs in the 2015 World Cup and 648 runs in the 2019 World Cup.

2. Shubman Gill: 

The young and talented Shubman Gill has already showcased his potential in the Indian team. With an average of over 60 in ODIs, Gill’s elegant strokeplay and solid technique makes him an asset in the top order. His exceptional performance in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup, where he was India’s leading run-scorer, first brought him into the limelight and earmarked him as a future star. Gill’s ODI records speak volumes about his potential and ability as a batsman. His ODI strike rate of 104.05 is also noteworthy, indicating that he can not only play long innings but also accelerate when required.

3.Virat Kohli:

A stalwart of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli’s presence is indispensable in the squad. With an impeccable track record and an insatiable hunger for runs, Kohli brings unmatched determination and consistency to the team. With close to 13,000 ODI runs to his name, including 46 centuries, his hunger for runs is insatiable. In the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, Kohli played pivotal roles, scoring 282 and 305 runs, respectively. As one of the world’s best batsmen, Kohli’s experience and aggressive approach are vital in high-pressure contests.

4. Shreyas Iyer:

Shreyas Iyer has made significant strides in the limited-overs format, and his cool demeanor under pressure has earned him recognition. His ability to rotate the strike and accelerate the scoring rate during the middle overs makes him a valuable asset. Iyer’s exceptional batting records at the number 4 position present a compelling case for him to be the best choice for India in the upcoming World Cup. His average of 47.35 and strike rate of 94.37 over 20 innings at No. 4 demonstrate consistent and impactful performances in the crucial middle-order role. Having scored two centuries and five fifties at this position, he has consistently converted starts into significant contributions.

5. KL Rahul (WK):

KL Rahul’s versatility in batting and his skills as a wicket-keeper make him an ideal candidate for the World Cup squad. With close to 2000 ODI runs and one century under his belt in the last World Cup, he has proven his worth in the team. Rahul’s ability to open the innings or play in the middle order adds flexibility to the batting unit. With consistent performances across different positions, his average of 53.00 and strike rate of 99.33 at number 5 indicate his ability to stabilize the innings and accelerate when needed. Rahul’s wicket-keeping skills add value to the team, and he can seamlessly step in as a reliable wicket-keeping option in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant.

6. Hardik Pandya (VC):

Hardik Pandya’s dynamic all-round abilities have made him an indispensable player for India. His strike rate of over 112 in ODIs and his ability to provide crucial breakthroughs with the ball make him a game-changer. Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the leadership unit of Team India as the vice-captain is vital. His all-round abilities make him crucial for the team’s success, contributing both as a leader and a match-winning all-rounder.

7. Ravindra Jadeja:

One of the finest all-rounders in contemporary cricket, Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion is a no-brainer. His electric fielding, economical bowling, and handy batting skills make him a game-changer. His recent performances in international cricket have been outstanding, solidifying his position in the team. With over 2500 ODI runs and more than 190 wickets, his contributions in both the batting and bowling departments are invaluable. After 2015 and 2019, this will be Jadeja’s third Cricket World Cup appearance.

8. Axar Patel:

Axar Patel’s emergence as a spin-bowling all-rounder has been a revelation. His accurate left-arm spin and lower-order batting prowess make him a crucial asset, particularly on spin-friendly pitches. With the World Cup being played in India, Axar Patel’s spin bowling will be really helpful for the hosts along with his batting down the order which will give India a chance for a longer batting order. Although Axar Patel was included in Indian Cricket Team squad for the 2015 World Cup, he didn’t find his name in the playing XI for once. We might see Axar making his World Cup debut soon for India.

9. Kuldeep Yadav:

Kuldeep Yadav, the crafty wrist-spinner, has the ability to bamboozle batsmen with his variations. With 141 wickets in 84 ODIs, his knack for taking crucial wickets make him a match-winner. Kuldeep’s performances in the past have been influential. He partnered up with Yuzvendra Chahal in India’s last World Cup campaign where he managed to scalp only 6 wickets in the entire tournament. But now a more matured Kuldeep Yadav, who has taken 34 wickets in last 19 ODIs for India, can turn tides for the country in the upcoming World Cup, which will be played in India’s spin-friendly conditions. This will be Kuldeep’s second World Cup campaign if he makes it to the squad.

10. Shardul Thakur:

Shardul Thakur’s ability to strike with the ball in crucial phases and his handy contributions with the bat lower down the order make him a valuable asset in the World Cup squad. His knack for taking wickets and his experience in limited-overs cricket strengthen his case for selection. With a strike rate of 33.9 in ODIs, Thakur has consistently taken wickets. His ability to contribute with the bat lower down the order adds depth to the squad.

11. Jasprit Bumrah: 

Arguably the best fast bowler in world cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is a key cog in India’s bowling attack. His lethal yorkers, pace variations, and death-overs expertise make him a potent weapon. The premier fast bowler in world cricket is India’s trump card in the bowling attack. With an exceptional economy rate of under five runs per over in ODIs, Bumrah is a master of death bowling. His performances in the 2019 World Cup, where he picked up 18 wickets, were instrumental in India’s campaign.

12. Mohammed Siraj:

Mohammed Siraj’s meteoric rise in international cricket has been remarkable. In absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj has taken long strides to lead the Indian fast bowling attack in recent times. His ability to bowl long spells with pace and accuracy has earned him accolades. His consistency and the ability to swing the ball make him a strong contender for the pace bowling slot. The recent performances of Siraj have been outstanding, with an impressive ICC ODI bowlers ranking of 4. His ability to pick crucial wickets at an economy rate of 4.79 makes him a strong and justified inclusion in the squad.

13. Mohammed Shami:

Mohammed Shami’s rise as a potent pace bowler has been impressive. His ability to swing the ball and consistently hit good lengths has troubled many top batsmen. With 162 wickets in 90 ODIs, Shami’s ability to take early breakthroughs and deliver in high-pressure situations is commendable. Shami’s impressive bowling performances in the last World Cups (2015,2019), with 31 wickets at an exceptional average of 15.71 and economy rate of 5.06, make him a great inclusion in India’s World Cup squad. His ability to take crucial wickets in the powerplay and maintain tight control over the run rate will be invaluable in the upcoming tournament.

14. Ishan Kishan (WK):

With his fearless and aggressive batting style, Ishan Kishan has quickly risen through the ranks. His recent performances in limited-overs cricket, coupled with his wicket-keeping skills, make him a potential backup option for the opening slot as well as wicket-keeping. His record-breaking fastest 200 in ODIs adds weight to his inclusion, showcasing his ability to dominate opposition bowling attacks. With his aggressive approach and solid technique, Kishan can be a game-changer at the top of the order and a valuable asset for the team in the upcoming World Cup.

15. Suryakumar Yadav:

You might be surprised to find Suryakumar Yadav’s name in this squad with the performance he has produced so far in ODIs. Suryakumar Yadav, who has scored over 1600 runs in just 49 T20Is with three centuries, hasn’t been able to replicate his shorter-format success in the 50-overs game.

Despite not proving his worth so far in ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav has been around in the white-ball setup for nearly two years, and also being a natural middle-order batsman in a country which has a problem of plenty with top-order batsmen, he might be an ideal replacement if one of the middle-order batsman from the starting XI gets injured. His ability to accelerate innings from the start will be valuable for India in the World Cup if he makes it to the 15-member squad.

India’s predicted squad for world cup 2023: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

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