India’s cricketing history is studded with moments of glory, with the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup being a jewel in its crown. Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India triumphed after a 28-year wait, igniting celebrations across the nation. As the calendar brings us to 2023, a new leader, Rohit Sharma, will take charge of the team, carrying the weight of a decade-long yearning for another ICC title.
Yuvraj Singh, a pivotal figure in India’s 2011 World Cup victory, recently took to social media to express his doubts about the current Indian cricket team’s ability to handle the pressure as their predecessors did in 2011. He questioned whether the team had enough time to turn things around and transform the pressure into a game-changing advantage.
In response, Virender Sehwag, known for his fearless batting and contributions to India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup victories, offered a resounding vote of confidence. Sehwag humorously reminded Yuvraj that the host nations won the last three ODI World Cups, with India winning in 2011. He playfully declared that 2023 would see India creating a “storm” in the cricketing world.
Another significant development leading up to the ICC World Cup 2023 was the omission of veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan from the 15-man squad. Dhawan, a seasoned campaigner in ICC events, last played an ODI for India in December the previous year. His exclusion was due to inconsistent performances in one-day internationals, with his average in the 20s before being replaced by Shubman Gill.
Shikhar Dhawan’s absence from the World Cup squad marks a notable departure from a decade-long tradition. He had consistently performed in ICC events, amassing 537 runs in eight innings during the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. His career average of scoring 50 or more every three innings jumps to every second inning in the ODI World Cup.
“Congratulations to my fellow teammates & friends chosen to represent India in the WC 2023 tournament! With the prayers and support of 1.5 billion people, you carry our hopes and dreams. May you bring the cup back home and make us proud! Go all out, Team India! #ChakDePhatte #WorldCup,” Dhawan tweeted.
Congratulations to my fellow team mates & friends chosen to represent India in the WC 2023 tournament! With the prayers and support of 1.5 billion people, you carry our hopes and dreams.
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) September 6, 2023
May you bring the cup back home 🏆 and make us proud! Go all out, Team India! 🇮🇳… https://t.co/WbVmD0Fsl5
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the provisional 15-man squad for the ICC World Cup 2023, captained by Rohit Sharma. The squad boasts a mix of experienced campaigners and young talents, including Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan. The bowling attack is spearheaded by the formidable duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, supported by spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
As the world awaits the ICC World Cup 2023 with bated breath, the Indian cricket team shoulders the hopes and aspirations of a cricket-loving nation. The banter between cricketing legends Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag adds a touch of drama and excitement to the build-up, highlighting the immense pressure and expectations surrounding Team India.
