Wasim Jaffer Picks His India’s ODI World Cup 2023 Squad, Shikhar Dhawan gets the place and Suryakumar Yadav Out!
The eagerly anticipated ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in October-November this year, with India hosting the prestigious tournament. The ICC has released the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule, comprising 48 matches across 10 cities in India. As cricket enthusiasts await the official announcement of India’s squad, former Indian cricketer and cricket expert, Wasim Jaffer, has shared his preferred 15-member squad for the tournament.
Notably, Jaffer’s selection raised eyebrows as he included out-of-favor stars Shikhar Dhawan and Sanju Samson in his team. Shikhar Dhawan, who last represented the national team in December 2022, was not part of India’s initial 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. Nevertheless, Jaffer chose to include Dhawan as a backup opener in his ODI World Cup 2023 squad.
The upcoming ODI series against West Indies will serve as a crucial platform for players to make their case for inclusion in the World Cup squad. Jaffer’s selection emphasizes the significance of experience and depth in the Indian team, with the inclusion of players like Dhawan and Samson.
In a recent discussion on JioCinema, Jaffer revealed his choice of three openers for India’s ODI World Cup 2023 squad, which comprises Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Shikhar Dhawan. The trio’s explosive batting prowess can provide India with a strong foundation at the top of the order.
“My three openers will be Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan. Even though Shikhar Dhawan is not going to be picked, I will keep him as the backup opener. Even if he doesn’t play at the start, I am okay with that.”
After that, Jaffer picked three spinners in his preferred playing XI, saying:
“After that, Virat Kohli at No. 3 obviously. Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, KL Rahul at No. 5 and Hardik Pandya at No. 6. Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be my three spinners in the XI.”
“In my XI, I will have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj/Mohammad Shami. I will play two seamers – Bumrah and Siraj. For me, it is very important that Hardik Pandya bowls because the World Cup is in India. Even if he doesn’t bowl 10 overs and bowls seven-eight overs, it’s enough for me.”
Jaffer choosed Shardul and Samson as his other backup players: “If he bowls, I will definitely try to play three spinners and I will definitely play both Axar and Jadeja because they are all-rounders. My third spinner will obviously be Kuldeep. My fourth seamer will be Shardul Thakur. Sanju Samson will be my backup keeper because I have already picked Shikhar as my third opener.”