India’s 2019 World Cup and 2023 World Cup squads feature a lot of similar players. The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja played in the 2019 edition of the mega event, which happened in England and Wales. These players have some new teammates in 2023, but the core group is almost same.
However, in 2019, India lost the league stage match against England. They also suffered a defeat in the semifinal against the New Zealand. India have been invincible in the 2023 WC so far and are the stern favorites to lift the World Cup on November 19.
Although the players are almost same, there are three major things which India did different this time. Here’s a list of the three things.
1. India kept consistency with selection in 2023 World Cup
For the first time in a long time, the Indian team looked absolutely prepared for the mega event. The team management knew what their best playing XI is, who is the backup in case any player gets injured. In 2019, India backed Ambati Rayudu before the mega event and then went with Vijay Shankar eventually. Such decisions were not made in 2023.
2. Backed Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami is a big-match player. Many fans would be surprised to know that Shami did not feature in India’s first-choice playing XI in 2019 as well as 2023. Shami picked up 14 wickets in four matches of 2019 WC, but he was dropped for the semifinal. In 2023, India did not repeat that mistake and reaped the rewards as Shami took 7 wickets against New Zealand.
3. Kept dressing room atmosphere light
The Indian team has kept the dressing room atmopshere light this year by organizing events like fashion show, ramp walk and even Best Fielder award ceremony. The atmosphere in 2019 WC was good, but not on the same level as 2023, because even coach and captain said that they did not have any say in the squad selection.
