The ICC ODI World Cup is around the corner, and all teams are in the final leg of preparations, finalising their best XI. From defending champions England to five-time winners Australia and hosts India, every team has players who are likely to make a difference in the tournament. Amidst the GOAT, X-factor, 3D debate and the obvious picks, here are five players to watch out for during the quadrennial event.
Shubman Gill (India)
1,813 runs from 34 innings at an average of 64.75. Nine fifties, five centuries and a double-ton at a strike rate of 102.60.
The 24-year-old has been exceptional for India at the top of the order and is expected to be among the breakout stars of the tournament. One of the few batters to have represented India in all three formats in 2023, Gill's ability to adjust and shift gears effortlessly gives India a vital advantage on home turf.
Legends like Adam Gilchrist and Kapil Dev have thrown their weight behind the right-hander to do well in the World Cup. "This is a youngster who we can look up to. He is the future of Indian cricket. Very very proud to have a player of that ability in India," Kapil had said.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
The youngest cricketer to top the ODI bowling rankings... The youngest man to captain an international side... The fastest to 100 ODI wickets...
A veteran of T20 leagues across the globe, the Gujarat Titans all-rounder has outgrown many contemporaries to be declared the GOAT of the shortest format by many pundits.
Rashid has come a long way to become a complete modern cricketer. He has worked hard to become the star he is - an impeccable leggie who can change the course of the game in the middle overs. One over is all it takes for Rashid to do his magic, and it has been proven time and again.
He can challenge the finest of bowling units with his power hitting down the order, is fast and athletic in the outfield and is an experienced leader. Afghanistan, an ever-growing cricket force, is likely to produce at least a few memorable moments as the coveted tournament reaches the subcontinent, and Rashid, alongside Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the like, shoulder the responsibility of doing the impossible.
Rashid gears up for the World Cup with nine wickets from eight games.
Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
2023 has been a year to remember for Mitchell Marsh. His batting was instrumental in Australia's ODI series win in India earlier this year, and the batting all-rounder will be looking to repeat his good show when he returns to the subcontinent for the ultimate prize.
The 31-year-old led the Kangaroos against South Africa in the absence of Pat Cummins, regularly batting in the top order. He failed thrice against the Proteas bowlers, before coming back strongly with a 56-ball 71 at Johannesburg. The Australians are not likely to change this strategy for the World Cup, considering the red-hot form Marsh is in with the bat. In contention for the opening slot for the former champions, Marsh is heavily backed by the likes of Glenn Maxwell to be the star of the tournament. "I think he (Marsh) is peaking at the right time. He’s hit the ball so well, and I think he is going to take it by storm this year,” he said.
Marsh averages 33.35 in ODIs and has picked up 54 wickets from 64 outings. He boasts a clinical economy of 5.43.
Jonny Bairstow (England)
Joe Root is confident that his teammate Bairstow is going to take the ODI World Cup by storm. During an interaction with the ICC, Root went on to predict the wicket-keeper batter will be the leading run-getter of the tournament. The explosive batter has been consistent for the Three Lions, Root rightly pointed out.
Jonny B had a forgettable tour against New Zealand recently, managing just 19 runs in three games. But his experience of having played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings makes him a force to reckon with on Indian pitches. Bairstow and Jason Roy once formed a fearsome opening combination that England could depend on to destroy any bowling line-up. With the latter missing out, Jonny is likely to open the innings with skipper Jos Buttler - an IPL legend and equally explosive batter.
Suryakumar Yadav (India):
While 'SKY' is praised by many as the best T20 batter India has ever produced, he is yet to do justice to his talent in the 50-over format of the game. With 587 runs from 26 ODIs at an average of 25.52 (before the Australia series), India's decision to chooser him over Sanju Samson (who boasts an average of 55 in ODIs after 12 innings) for the World Cup had drawn flak. Thus, it is certain that SKY's World Cup run will come under scrutiny for more than one reason. To the relief of Indian fans, Yadav hit back-to-back fifties against Australia in the ongoing series - hinting that the middle-order batter has started finding his rhythm. His swashbuckling 37-ball 72 at Indore on Sunday sends a stern warning to India's opponents.