Team India is currently participating in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 and has qualified for the Super Four of the tournament. This is a very good platform for the team to test the players in difficult situations. India will host the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
Being the host, everyone thinks that India is among the favorites to win the tournament. And why not? They did it in 2011 at home under MS Dhoni. But that was probably the last time that India made it to the World Cup final. India announced its squad for the World Cup on Tuesday.
It is almost a full-strength team, with mostly all the big guns present. But a championship cannot be won with big names and few individuals; it should be the team’s effort. However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma picks a player from the team whose form will be very important for India in the mega event.
Rohit said that a lot will depend on how Hardik Pandya performs. India have picked Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik as the three all-rounders in the team. Hardik has also been given the role of vice captain.
In an interaction with news reporters on Tuesday, Rohit said, “Pandya’s form will be crucial to us. He is a guy who does both batting and bowling, and that’s very important.”
Hardik was the top scorer for India in the opening game against Pakistan on Saturday. He played an important innings of 87 runs and added a 138-run partnership with Ishan Kishan to take India out of the hole.
The all-rounder has also improved with his bowling and has bowled some overs with the new ball. He gives India the right balance that they need. Team India has not won an ICC title since 2013. But this is an excellent chance for them to end that drought at home.
