ICC World Cup 2023: Predicted Squad for Team India

Cricket in India means a religion to a large population. Over the years the sport has had a huge influence on youngsters from India. Hence it has proved to be the most popular sport in the country. We have produced some exceptional talents over the years. Right from the CK Nayudu’s to the Vijay Manjrekar’s to the Vinoo Mankad’s to the Sunil Gavaskar’s to the Sachin Tendulkar’s, India has always produced some exceptional batting talents.

In the past, their weak link was the bowling. However, in the current years, the evolution of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah has given a different sort of dimension to Indian cricket in the limited overs format. The bowling line-up seems to be in the charge of India for several years coming. Even the batting line-up looks settled. But in the next few years, some of the big stars will retire and some of them will need to fill their shows.

We are just a year away from the 2019 World Cup. But won’t it feel great if we try to predict the Indian squad for the 2023 World Cup? 5 years is certainly a lot of time and the scenario might be totally different then.

Now without wasting any time let us have a look at the Probable Indian squad for the 2023 World Cup

Openers/Top order- Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul

Rohit Sharma is definitely one of the finest Indian batsmen in the limited overs format. He has been the only player to smash 3 ODI double centuries. He has made the format his own. Over the years he has evolved as a batsman and has gone on to scale great heights for his country. He is a quite fit guy. Despite being pushed in the yo-yo test he never had issues with fitness. Hence he looks a probable candidate for the 2023 World Cup. He will be 36 then.

The young Prithvi Shaw has been quite impressive in the limited opportunities he has got in senior cricket. He has impressed all and sundry in Ranji Trophy cricket. Prithvi looked quite impressive with the bat during his stint with the Delhi Daredevils. He has a flair like Sachin Tendulkar and it is no guess to say that the teenager idolizes the Little Master. I have a great feeling that Prithvi will be part of the Indian squad in the 2023 World Cup.

Rahul did wonders during the IPL. He was at his sublime best and looked in ominous touch all through the tournament. He is a wonderful timer of the ball and looks pleasing to the eyes when on song. Rahul has been quite consistent in the recent past. I feel that in 5 years he will further cement his position and make the opening position his own.

Middle-order- Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubhman Gill, Abhishek Sharma

In all likelihood, Virat Kohli will still be the captain of the Indian team after 5 years. He will richer in experience and will be raring to go like any other time. He has been one of the finest modern legends and his records speak volume about his sheer consistency in the game. In a 200 odd ODI’s so far he has already smashed nearly 10,000 runs along with 34 centuries. He has been a class act and given his fitness regime, Virat will be fit to play for the next 7-8 years.

Shreyas Iyer has been in and around the Indian circuit for a while. However, he hasn’t been able to cement his place in the side. But with 5 years still in hand, Iyer will surely become one of the mainstays in the line-up. He has been an impressive find for India.

The young teenaged Shubhman Gill has been quite a talent. He looked in brilliant touch during the U-19 World Cup and was subsequently bought by Kolkata Knight Riders. He looked quite calm and composed and might well be the next Virat Kohli in the making.

The young 17-year-old Abhishek Sharma looked quite sensational during his debut match for the Delhi Daredevils. The southpaw is a very stylish batsman and might go on to make the Indian bound for the 2023 World Cup. However, it is just a gut feeling from the little knowledge which I have gathered in cricket over the years.

Wicket-keeper- Rishabh Pant

The dynamic southpaw has been in electrifying form in the recent past. He has smashed star bowlers with disdain. In the IPL Bhuvneshwar Kumar was at the receiving end of a carnage from Pant. He smashed 26 runs off the final over in a group game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is a class act and will definitely be part of the Indian squad for the 2023 World Cup. It will difficult for him to break into the team until Dhoni is still there.

All-rounder-Hardik Pandya

Hardik has been an outstanding find for India over the last couple of years. He has lent the ideal balance to any squad and has been an integral part of the Men in Blue. Hardik is a rare talent and he needs to be groomed well. In all likelihood, Pandya will be the all-rounder for the 2023 quadrennial event. Hardik is a wonderful striker of the ball and can also click 140 145 km/hr while bowling.

Fast bowlers- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kamlesh Nagarkoti

The Kings of swing Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an irreplaceable bowler in the limited overs squad. Over the last few years, he has developed a great ability to bowl the Yorkers with precision especially in the death overs. In helpful conditions, he is a nightmare for the batsmen. Given his consistency, one can expect him to continue till the 2023 World Cup.

Jasprit Bumrah has been another sensational find for India in the last two years. He has been a Yorker specialist and has forged a great partnership with Bhuvi. Bumrah is an integral part of the Indian side across formats. He is a fit guy and in all likelihood will spearhead the bowling attack with Bhuvi even in the 2023 World Cup.

The young fast bowler impressed all and sundry during the ICC U-19 World Cup earlier in the year. He was quite brilliant with his pace and line and length and troubled the opposition batters on a consistent basis. He is a raw talent and needs to be groomed. BCCI needs to manage the workload of the youngster who has the potential of becoming a real fast bowler in the coming years.

Spinners- Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Mayank Markande

The left-arm chinaman bowler has been quite consistent in the limited opportunities he has got in national colours so far. He became only the 3^rd Indian bowler to bag an ODI hat-trick last year against Australia. He was quite brilliant during the series against South Africa. Kuldeep finished with 17 wickets while his partner Chahal was superb too.

The two has complemented each other very well. Chahal is a more of an accurate bowler who relies more on line and length. However on pitches which have assistance Chahal will turn the ball miles. He has been quite consistent for India and is expected to continue his exploits at least till the 2023 World Cup.

Mayank Markande hasn’t had any first-class experience. However, he impressed one and all with his performances in the IPL. Given the age of wrist spinners, Markande might well be an inclusion in the Indian squad in the coming years. He will definitely look to work very hard and work on his drawbacks in the recent time.