With not much time left until the start of the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup in India, the excitement among fans is reaching its peak. Adding to that, many former cricketers and cricket pundits are also sharing their opinions and predicting the top teams in the upcoming mega event.
The tournament will start on October 5, when England will lock horns with New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Top ten teams will compete in the tournament, and four of those will qualify for the semi-finals.
Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has also added to the excitement and named his top five players who will feature in his Dream XI for the coming World Cup. He has picked two Indians and one player each from Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan. Interestingly, he didn’t include any English players, who are World Champions.
Dhawan has picked former Indian captain Virat Kohli in first place. Virat has been one of the best modern-day batters, and his ODI numbers are just incredible. He was part of the Indian team that won the 2011. Virat led India to the semi-finals of the 2019 edition.
Next, Dhawan picked Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who ended the last edition with the most runs. Rohit was at his absolute best and scored a record five centuries in the 2019 edition. He also has six World Cup centuries, which is joint-most with Sachin Tendulkar.
Dhawan also picked Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, who is the leading wicket-taker among active players in the World Cup. He picked up 27 wickets in the 2019 edition. Starc is also the No. 2 ranked ODI bowler in the world. Dhawan also picked Afghan superstar Rashid Khan.
The veteran Indian opener said that Rashid will be the best-suited spinner when it comes to sub-continent conditions. Rashid is also the No. 3 ranked ODI bowler. At No. 5, Dhawan picked South African pacer Kagiso Rabada. The Indian opener said that Shaheen Afridi is another opener, but he has also picked Starc as a left-arm pacer, and Rabada will add variety to the bowling attack.
Dhawan’s top five pick for ODI World Cup: Virat Kohli (IND), Rohit Sharma (IND), Mitchell Starc (AUS), Rashid Khan (AFG), Kagiso Rabada (SA)
