ICC CWC23: India has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023, with a few shocking omissions and notable inclusions. Among the omission that caught the nation attention is keeping Yuzi Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan and Sanju Samson.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the squad on Tuesday, September 5th, setting the stage for a highly anticipated tournament.
Leading the team will be Rohit Sharma, who has been named the captain, with the dynamic all-rounder Hardik Pandya serving as his deputy. The selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, meticulously deliberated on the composition of the squad, seeking input from team captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid during consultations held in Sri Lanka over the weekend.
One of the key points of speculation leading up to the squad announcement was the fitness of KL Rahul, the team’s senior middle-order batsman. Although Rahul was sidelined from the early matches of the Asia Cup 2023 due to an injury, recent updates indicate that he has made a remarkable recovery. As a result, KL Rahul has been included in India’s World Cup squad, offering a significant boost to the team’s batting lineup.
This inclusion marks a turning point in Rahul’s journey, as he rehabilitated his injured thigh earlier in the year at the IPL. His dedication and hard work at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru have paid off, as he has successfully cleared his fitness tests and is now set to rejoin his India teammates in Sri Lanka for their Super 4 encounter against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
With KL Rahul back in the squad, some tough decisions had to be made, resulting in Sanju Samson being left out of the World Cup roster. Additionally, Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna, despite their potential, did not make the final cut.
ICC CWC23 Squad: Sanju Samson, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzi Chahal Miss the Bus
Bharat’s ICC CWC23 team batting lineup boasts formidable talents, with captain Rohit Sharma leading the charge, accompanied by Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan, who also provides a wicket-keeping option. The all-rounders in the team, including Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur, add depth to the batting order, ensuring a strong foundation for India’s World Cup campaign.
On the bowling front, the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who showed no signs of injury upon his comeback, strengthens the pace attack. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are likely to be the preferred choices among the pacers. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing crucial breakthroughs.
Harbhajan Surprised by Yuzi Chahal Omission from the Bharat Team
The complete 15-player squad for India in the ICC CWC23 Cricket World Cup is as follows:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Shami
- Mohammed Siraj
Teams have until September 28th to make any adjustments to their squads, pending approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). As the countdown to the World Cup begins, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the action-packed matches that lie ahead.
