IND vs SA: Ravi Shastri, Vernon Philander Livid With 8 Indians' Inclusion In Star Sports' ODI Team Of 2023

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri was left in utter shock after seeing the Star Sports’ ODI team of the year 2023. He said that the team was a joke and cited that it might only have been Indians who would’ve voted for the team.

Broadcaster Star Sports on Wednesday (27th December) revealed their ODI team of the year. As many as 8 Indians featured in the team and there was only one player from the World Cup-winning team Australia in leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who was slotted at 7.

The broadcasters revealed that 70 percent of the votes came from India and hence 8 players featured from the country. Rohit Sharma along with Shubman Gill were named as openers in the team. The duo were prolific with the bat in the ODIs but surely there were better players than both who did great as openers.

Virat Kohli bagged the No.3 spot in the Star Sports’ ODI team of the year. Daryl Mitchell is at No.4. Whereas KL Rahul will keep wickets in the team. South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen is at 6 whereas Adam Zampa is at 7. Kuldeep Yadav was followed by Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah as three pacers.

Ravi Shastri highlighted that Rashid Khan, Mitchell Marsh, and Quinton de Kock should’ve been there in the team. He lashed out at the broadcasters for keeping just Adam Zampa from Australia. Speaking on the same, he explained (as quoted by HT):

“It’s a joke. Rashid Khan… does he play? I think there must be only Indians voting in there. No one else. Mitchell Marsh, Rashid Khan, Quinton de Kock. One player from the World Cup-winning team in Adam Zampa? What a No. 7.”

Ravi Shastri added that Rashid Khan is the best all-rounder in the world and it is unbelievable not to see him in the team. He also rued the absence of Ravindra Jadeja in the team. He stated:

“Rashid is one of the best around. For him not to make the cut there, unbelievable. Jadeja is the best all-rounder. Him and Rashid would have been the ideal combination across all surfaces in the world.”

IND vs SA: After Ravi Shastri, Vernon Philander also lashes out at Star Sports’ ODI Team of the year

Vernon Philander, who was also present alongside Ravi Shastri, wasn’t impressed by the team picked by Star Sports. He highlighted the kind of year Quinton de Kock had in ODIs and also mentioned that Glenn Maxwell deserved to be there. He added:

“If I am Quinton de Kock, I’ll be highly disappointed to be missing out on selection. With his last year in ODI cricket and to sign off in the way he did… I tell you what. He is an incredible player. I understand that all these guys are worthy of selection; they’ve had a wonderful year, especially the Indians.

“Virat brings stability. But for me, maybe an Aiden Markram. David Miller another name. Glenn Maxwell, how can you leave him out? He saved Australia from the death. There are just so many to pick from. If I was Maxwell, I would feel really hard done by selection.”

The likes of Glenn Maxwell, Aiden Markram, and David Miller had sensational outings in the ODIs this year. They won their teams a lot of games this time around and deserved to be there.