ODI World Cup 2023: Ranking the Best Playing 11 of All 10 Teams

Team India, the standout as we look at the ranking of the best playing 11 of all 10 teams for ICC ODI World Cup 2023. 

In just a few days, the battle for the greatest cricketing event of the year, the ODI World Cup 2023 will go on floors with 10 teams battling it out in 48 matches for 46 days. With the event completely scheduled in India after a gap of 12 years, the excitement multi folds given the craziness the population of this country brings in.

Except for the Netherlands, who are still making a mark in the cricketing world, all the other 9 teams seem fully potent. India may be a sub-continent wicket, but given the diversity of cities, we can see all types of pitches during the World Cup. Thankfully, all teams have a well-balanced squad that can compete on spin-friendly and pace-friendly wickets.

But how are all 10 teams placed this year basis their strongest playing 11? Well, using our tried and tested methodology as shown below, how about we take a look at the best possible playing 11 ranking for all 10 teams for ODI World Cup 2023? Please note that we can only arrive at the strongest playing 11 when we assume all players are fully fit. Alright then, let’s get to it.   

Ranking All 10 Teams Best Playing 11 for ODI World Cup 2023:

Methodology:

To arrive at the ranking, we will look at the best 11 players from each team across each category, viz., Batting, Bowling, and All-rounder. To remove any biases and perception, we will look at the performance of all these players in ODI cricket over the last 5 years. All players are relatively rated on a scale of 10, and a cumulative team rating is formed to arrive at the final rankings. 

#10: Netherlands – 6.432

At number 10, we have the Netherlands team with the best playing 11 rating of 6.432. Overall, we should see Vikram Singh and Max O’Dowd as openers with Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards, and Bas de Leede in the middle-order. Teja Nidamanuru, Saqib Zulfiqar, and Roelef van der Merwe should play the role of finisher All-rounders, and Logan van Beek, Paul van Meekeren, and Aryan Dutt should lead the bowling department.   

Best Playing 11 for Netherlands for ODI World Cup 2023:

Vikram Singh, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards (c&wk), Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Saqib Zulfiqar, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Paul van Meekeren & Aryan Dutt

#9: Sri Lanka – 8.386

At number 9, we have the Sri Lankan team with the best playing 11 rating of 8.386. The loss of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera hurt Sri Lanka a lot as it reduced their playing 11 rating significantly. Seeing Sri Lanka’s playing 11, Kusal Perera can be fire at the top. With support from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera in the middle-order, the bowling shall be dependent on Wellalage, Pathirana, and Pathirana.

Best Playing 11 for Sri Lanka for ODI World Cup 2023:

Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana & Lahiru Kumara

#8: Bangladesh – 8.795

At number 8, we have the Bangladesh team with the best playing 11 rating of 8.795. Bangladesh team has a few superstars in their playing 11 in the form of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed. These are the players on whom Bangladesh shall be dependent to do well. 

Best Playing 11 for Bangladesh for ODI World Cup 2023:

Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed & Shoriful Islam

#7: Afghanistan 8.795

Coming to number 7, we have Afghanistan with a similar rating as Bangladesh at 8.795. While Afghanistan have the same rating as Bangladesh, they have more match winners on their side; thus a better ranking. Overall, Afghanistan have a strong set of openers, a good spin bowling department, and a good all-rounder set. 

Best Playing 11 for Afghanistan for ODI World Cup 2023:

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi & Naveen ul Haq

#6: Pakistan – 8.818

At number 6, we have a surprise in the form of Pakistan with a best playing 11 rating of 8.818. The Pakistan team may be number 2 in the ODI rankings, but the team has a few shortfalls. With Fakhar and Imam not in the form, the spin bowling is also out of form with Shadab being a disappointment in the last few months. Overall, the team would need Babar Azam, Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi to come good.

Best Playing 11 for Pakistan for ODI World Cup 2023:

Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf & Hasan Ali

#5: New Zealand – 9.045

At number 5, we have New Zealand with the best playing 11 rating of 9.045. The New Zealand team seems well equipped from all departments. With a strong batting combination, New Zealand have great all-rounders on their side. Similarly, spin bowling is good too in the form of Sodhi, Santner, and Chapman. Whereas pace bowling should see the regulars, Southee, Boult, and Ferguson.

Best Playing 11 for New Zealand for ODI World Cup 2023:

Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitch Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi & Trent Boult

#4: England – 9.227

Coming to the top 4, it may surprise a few as we have the England team with the best playing 11 rating of 9.227. Honestly, 9.227 isn’t a bad rating by any imagination. But, England have a few players where the rating gets reduced relatively. While there is no question about the potential of Sam Curran, Mark Wood, and Joe Root, their performance in the last 3-4 years has been quite decent in ODIs.

Overall, England have a strong lineup. Starting with a fantastic opening pair in the form of Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, The middle-order is rock solid with the presence of Ben Stokes and Joe Root. The finishers are well set for England in the form of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Moeen Ali. Similarly, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes add to the batting depth. Whereas Adil Rashid and Mark Wood complete a superb bowling unit too. 

Best Playing 11 for England for ODI World Cup 2023:

Dawid Malan,  Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c&wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid &  Mark Wood

#3: South Africa – 9.455

Coming to the top 3, we have South Africa with the best playing 11 rating of 9.455. The consistency in the performance of South African players makes them one of the favourites to win the competition. Be it a superb batting unit with good batting depth, the presence of pace all-rounders, and a good spin combination, South Africa are a team to beat this season. Overall, if Luck is by their side, South Africa can actually surprise by qualifying for the final. 

Best Playing 11 for South Africa for ODI World Cup 2023:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj & Tabraiz Shamsi

#2: Australia – 9.545

Coming to number 2, we have the mighty Aussies with the best playing 11 rating of 9.545. The Aussie team seems well equipped for all kinds of pitches, except for the spin-friendly pitch. With Ashton Agar not there, the team may find it slightly difficult to win wickets like Chennai, Delhi, Pune, and Lucknow. Nevertheless, if they are able to overcome this issue, their Semi-final slot is a sure shot. 

Best Playing 11 for Australia for ODI World Cup 2023:

David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood & Adam Zampa

#1: India – 9.705

Coming to the number 1 ranked team for ODI World Cup 2023, it is none other than Team India with the best playing 11 rating of 9.705. It won’t be an understatement, but the 2023 Indian team has the most all-round playing 11 as compared to all World Cups including the 2011 World Cup winning team.

Analyzing the playing 11, Team India have cannot have a better top-order than the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. The middle-order seems in form with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul taking the charge. Whereas the All-rounder set of Hardik, Jaddu, and Ashwin seems impressive. Similarly, Kuldeep, Siraj, and Bumrah make up for a fantastic bowling lineup. 

Best Playing 11 for India for ODI World Cup 2023:

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

So, that’s about the ranking of the best playing 11 for all 10 teams for ODI World Cup 2023. 

Thanks for reading! Among all 10 teams, which team has the best playing 11 for the ODI World Cup 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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ALSO READ: ODI World Cup 2023: All 10 Teams Updated Final Squad Players list

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