ODI World Cup 2023: Team India Official Squad and Players list

Rohit Sharma to lead a strong side as we look at the confirmed best 15-member squad and players list for Team India for ODI World Cup 2023. 

The Indian Cricket Team is busy playing the Asia Cup 2023, but our eyes will also be on BCCI’s announcement of Team India’s official squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. Team India have selected a 17-member squad for Asia Cup 2023, which is played in the ODI format too. However, for the ODI World Cup, the squad will be curtailed to only 15 players. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set September 5 as the deadline to announce the preliminary squad for all teams. It is understood that BCCI is set to announce Team India’s official preliminary squad and 3 reserves list on September 05 after Team India’s group stage match vs Nepal.

While we wait for BCCI’s official announcement of Team India’s squad, how about we analyze all probable players, and find out the best possible squad and 15 players list along with reserves for Team India for ODI World Cup 2023? As usual, to simplify the analysis, we shall bifurcate the squad between batters, bowlers, all-rounders, and keepers. 

ODI World Cup Confirmed Best Squad List for Team India:

Batters – Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

Analyzing the batters for the ODI World Cup 2023 for Team India, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli are confirmed to be in the final 15. However, only one among Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will make it to the final 15-member squad. But who would it be?

Will Team India select the x-factor and experience of Suryakumar Yadav, or will they go with the temperament and multi-dimensional characteristic of Tilal Varma? Well, there is no right answer to it as it all depends on Team India’s strategy. But Team India may not risk taking inexperience in the final 15 for such an important tournament. Hence, SKY could get the preference. 

WKs – Ishan Kishan & KL Rahul 

Coming to the wicker-keepers, the only question that Team India will have to answer is whether they keep a third keeper in the squad. Ideally, Sanju may not be in the final 15. If he were to, he would have been in Asia Cup’s official squad too. But he is only among the travelling reserves there.

So, India are unlikely to include Sanju Samson in the final squad, and we should see Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul as the first-choice keepers for ODI World Cup 2023. In fact, if we understand the think-tank of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma currently, Sanju may even not be in the reserves with that role being given to a wrist spinner that we discuss later. 

All-rounders – Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Coming to the all-rounders, there is no second thought as to who takes the top 3 positions. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja shall continue to be Team Inda’s best all-rounders with Axar Patel being their backup. Other than these three, only Washington Sundar is the name that could be among the probables. But lack of game practice could rule him out from team India’s squad.

Spinner – Kuldeep Yadav

Coming to spinners, India are likely to have only one main spinner in the form of Kuldeep Yadav. Ideally, India should also have Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad. But that looks unlikely with that position being taken by Suryakumar Yadav. So, Kuldeep along with Jadeja and Axar should be our spinners. 

Pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj & Shardul Thakur

Finally, talking about the pacers, there is only one thing to debate; that’s between choosing five pacers vs four pacers. If we look at the Asia Cup 2023 squad for Team India, there are five pacers in the squad; of a total of 17 players. But with only 15 being allowed for the ODI World Cup 2023, one of the pacers should be looked upon as a backup.

But who among Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur may be looked at as a backup? Well, of the five pacers, Shardul, Bumrah, and Siraj are sure to get a go. Between Shami and Prasidh, Shami may be preferred for the experience. So, India shall select four pacers with Prasidh being the backup pacer. 

ODI World Cup 2023 – Confirmed Best Squad List for Team India:

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

WKs: Ishan Kishan & KL Rahul 

All-rounders: Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj & Shardul Thakur 

So, that’s about the confirmed best squad list for Team India for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Other than these 15 players, Team India will mostly have Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, and Tilak Varma among the reserves. Please note that the reserves will only get the opportunity to play if any of the primary 15 are ruled out of the squad. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on Team India squad for the ODI World Cup 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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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.