The ODI World Cup 2023 is anticipated to be the standout sports event of the year, and India is poised to host this grand spectacle. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has unveiled his selected ODI squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Ganguly’s choices reflect a robust batting lineup for the Indian team, featuring Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan at the top order, along with experienced middle-order stalwarts like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav.
Ganguly’s squad includes KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, both returning from injuries, with their match fitness yet to be established. The former captain opted for Kishan and Rahul as potential wicketkeepers, while designating Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain. The spin all-rounder options comprise Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel, while Kuldeep Yadav holds the role of the sole specialist spinner.
While not initially selecting Tilak Varma and Yuzvendra Chahal, Ganguly affirmed that they would be the immediate replacements in case of any injuries. “I’ll always pick Chahal. I’ll always pick wrist spinners, I don’t know what the selectors think but I’d always pick wrist spinners,” he emphasized.
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Ganguly underlined the significance of combining youth and experience, stating, “A good team is a mixture of youth and experience. You need the flamboyance of youth, the fearlessness of youth along with the seasoned campaigners like Rohit, Virat, Rahul, Jadeja, and Pandya.”
Appreciating the team’s strength, Ganguly noted, “Bumrah is back, which makes the team even stronger. The bowling attack is very good – Shami, Bumrah, Siraj. You can’t get a better fast bowling attack. And the spin, Jadeja, the wrist spinner.”
The World Cup is set to commence on October 5, with a match between 2019 finalists England and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The tournament will conclude with the final at the same venue on November 19.