Former Australian cricketer and successful Indian Premier League (IPL) coach Tom Moody unveiled his 15-player selection for India’s squad in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, presenting a mix of familiar faces and unexpected choices. While the core players secured spots, there were notable omissions: Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson were left out. Instead, Moody took a bold step by opting for four spinners – Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and the previously sidelined Yuzvendra Chahal, who was absent from India’s Asia Cup 2023 roster.
Moody’s batting lineup featured Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer as specialist batters. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were the designated wicket-keeping choices. The versatile Rahul could assume either the role of a wicket-keeping batter or a specialist batsman, adapting as per the match scenario.
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In the all-rounder category, Hardik Pandya was named vice-captain, accompanied by spin all-rounders Jadeja and Axar, both of whom have displayed their batting prowess. Moody’s unconventional move included both Kuldeep and Chahal, differing from the selection made by Indian selectors for the imminent Asia Cup tournament.
Predictably, the pace department consisted of Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami – established figures in the Indian bowling lineup. These choices formed the crux of the squad outlined by Tom Moody, the former coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Tom Moody’s India squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj