The 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup will be held in India at the end of this year. October and November will see the 50-over World Cup. Fans and experts have already started their favourite team even though the megaevent doesn’t start for another six months.
The reigning champion England will attempt to defend its title, making history by being the first team to do so in 16 years. Australia, a five-time champion, will attempt to race and will be motivated after defeating India in the three-match ODI series last month.
After 12 years after their historic victory in 2011, India will hope to repeat history by winning the ODI World Cup at home for the second time. However, three prominent Indian athletes have suffered three significant injuries and are questionable for a major competition.
Rishabh Pant, an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, and the star pacer are currently injured and it is unclear if they will be able to compete in the ODI World Cup. While Shreyas Iyer, who will not be participating in the IPL 2023 or the WTC Final, will be having surgery to treat his problematic back.
Pant, a member of the Indian team in 2019, is most likely going to miss the World Cup. As a result, India will likely need another wicketkeeper-batter. According to Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are likely candidates to step in for Pant.
“Look, I do believe they will continue to support him. KL will undoubtedly be included in their World Cup squad, in my opinion,” Ponting said in an interview with Sanjana Ganesan for ICC Review.
“I think Ishan Kishan should definitely be there as well to provide another left-handed batting option because, if you think back to game three, they promoted Axar and Jadeja ahead of Surya due to Ashton Agar and the balls spinning away from the right-handers.”
Ishan Kishan would have to play some sort of role in the middle of the order if they wanted to use a left-handed specialist since Rishabh is currently absent. 4 or No. 5. Just to discredit left-arm off-spinners, there aren’t many right-arm off-spinners in ODIs and T20Is when you look at the spinners in the world today.
“You must have left-handers in your middle order. If you only have right-handers through the middle order, it’s much harder for those guys to play it. Most sides will have left-arm off-spin and right-arm leg spin. As a result, I believe they will enter that World Cup with two keepers in their squad, and they will decide what they require from their batting,” he concluded.
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