2023 World Cup is just around the corner. The Indian team for the mega event scheduled to take place at home has been announced. The BCCI can make any changes required to the squad until September 28. However, it seems unlikely that the 15-man squad will be changed unless any injuries. Here is the squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav.
While most of the players were expected to make it to the squad, the following four Indians surprisingly missed out despite being favorites to feature at the start of 2023.
1. Shikhar Dhawan is not in 2023 World Cup plans
Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan is no longer a part of the Indian ODI setup. Dhawan was the captain of India in quite a few ODIs that the team played last year. However, due to a decline in his numbers, Dhawan was dropped, with Shubman Gill taking his place.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal is not in 2023 World Cup plans
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was India’s reliable leg-spinner in the 2019 World Cup. He continued his good form in ODI cricket, but Kuldeep Yadav raced ahead of him before the selection day. Since Chahal’s batting skills are not the best, Axar Patel edged him for a place in the World Cup team.
3. Umran Malik
Known for his express pace, Umran Malik was a favorite to feature in India’s squad. However, Malik could not use his 150 kmph pace to the fullest and did not make it to the squad.
4. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson was in contention to make it to the WC team. When Rishabh Pant was involved in an accident, fans felt Samson would walk into the team. However, the same did not happen. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are the two wicketkeeping options now.
