ODI World Cup 2023: Above vs Under 25 Best Playing 11 for India

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to lead as we look at the above vs under 25 age best playing 11 for Team India for ODI World Cup 2023. 

The current state of the Indian cricket team is such that almost two solid squads represent two different formats. Barring a few overlaps, the senior team is busy playing the ODI format. Whereas the T20 format team is filled with a lot of junior players on the side.

Given the current strength of the Indian team when it comes to bench availability, needless to say, we have a solid bench of 20-25 players, who are playing regularly in the team, and they belong to either of Above 25 age or Under 25 age category. 

This brings us to an interesting observation. How does our Senior or Above 25 Age Playing 11 compare to our Junior or Under 25 Age Playing 11? Well, it’s a virtual scenario, but a comparison between these two best playing 11 for ODI World Cup 2023 gives us an opportunity to learn a lot of things. So, why not bet with a bonus code for Parimatch.

To come up with the comparison, we shall select the players under respective age brackets who are currently playing for Team India, or are in contention for any of the two limited-overs format. In addition, players who are aged 25 are considered in the Under 25 category. Alright then, let’s look at the comparison.      

ODI World Cup 2023 – Above vs Under 25 Age Best Playing 11 for India:

Openers: Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul (wk) vs Yashasvi Jaiswal & Shubman Gill

Comparing the Openers for Team Above 25 vs Team Under 25, we have Rohit Sharma (36) and KL Rahul (31) as the openers for Team A25. Whereas for Team U25, we have Yashasvi Jaiswal (21) and Shubman Gill (23). It is a great setup of openers where experience clashes with the youth.

Of the four openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are Team India’s primary openers in the ODI format. Whereas Yashasvi Jaiswal is slowly making a name for himself in the Test and T20I format. Until his injury, KL Rahul mostly played as an opener, but is now in contention only for the middle-order spot in ODIs. 

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, S. Iyer & H. Pandya vs I. Kishan, T. Varma & Rishabh Pant (wk)

For middle-order, we have a solid trio of Virat Kohli (34), Shreyas Iyer (28), and Hardik Pandya (29) for Team A25. Whereas Team U25 is filled with young talent in the form of Ishan Kishan (25), Tilak Varma (20), and Rishabh Pant (25). It is an exciting setup, but Team A25 looks more lethal given the numbers backing them.

In the current scenario, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya are Team India’s first-choice middle-order option in ODIs. If all are fit and healthy, this is our ideal middle-order for World Cup with Hardik batting at 6 and KL Rahul at 5. Of the three, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are a part of the Indian Test team too. 

Whereas for Team U25, Ishan Kishan is now almost a three-format player. Tilak Varma has shown promising signs in T20I format, and will soon be considered for the ODI format too. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is currently recovering from injury, but is already a known entity in all three formats with Test matches being his forte.   

Finishers: Suryakumar Yadav & R. Jadeja vs Rinku Singh & Washington Sundar

Coming to finishers, we have Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Ravindra Jadeja (34) as the best options for Team A25. While Suryakumar Yadav is already the number 1 T20I batter in the world, he is also considered a finisher in ODIs. Whereas Ravindra Jadeja is a first-choice all-rounder in all three formats for Team India. 

For Team U25, we have two emerging youngsters, Rinku Singh (25) and Washington Sundar (23). While Rinku only recently made his T20I debut for Team India, he has been performing exceptionally well in the Domestic circuit including IPL. Whereas Washington Sundar is a solid backup all-rounder option for Team India in the limited-overs format. 

Bowlers: K. Yadav, J. Bumrah, M. Shami & M. Siraj vs Arshdeep Singh, R. Bishnoi, U. Malik & S. Mavi

Coming to the first-choice bowling options, Team A25 wins this contest hands down. Team A25 has a solid bowling line-up in the form of Kuldeep Yadav (28), Jasprit Bumrah (29), Mohammed Shami (32), and Mohammed Siraj (29). Unfortunately, with such a superb bowling line-up, the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, etc., are left out. 

For Team U25, we have promising options in the form of Arshdeep Singh (24), Umran Malik (23), Shivam Mavi (24), and Ravi Bishnoi (22). Of the four, Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi are already a part of Team India’s T20I team. Whereas Umran Malik is a part of the ODI and T20I setup, and Shivam Mavi is a part of the Asian Games squad for Team India. 

ODI World Cup 2023 – Above 25 Age Best Playing 11 for Team India:

Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj & Jasprit Bumrah

ODI World Cup 2023 – Under 25 Age Best Playing 11 for Team India:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant (c&wk), Rinku Singh, Washinton Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi & Umran Malik 

Overall, comparing both playing 11, if they compete with each other, Team U25 may be a tougher opponent when it comes to the T20 format. Whereas Team A25 shall be a tougher opponent when it comes to the ODI format. Whatever the case, it would be so exciting to see a face-off between both these teams. 

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ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2023: Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for Team India

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.