Jacques Kallis picks his top five players ahead of ODI World Cup

Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)

The ODI World Cup 2023 is right around the corner, and with the start of the marquee event ever so near, the fans will be lying in wait to see sensational performances from the star players of their respective countries. Ahead of the tournament, former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has named the five players that he thinks will make a significant impact for their sides.

In a video shared by the ICC (International Cricket Council) on Instagram, Kallis named the likes of Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Anrich Nortje, Jos Buttler, and Rashid Khan as the five players who could make an impact in the World Cup.

“For me, Rashid Khan, he is going to be a massive player for Afghanistan. Done particularly well for them lately and those conditions are going to suit him. I think he is going to lead from the front, he is a fighter, and he is going to play a massive role for Afghanistan,” Kallis said in the video.

Furthermore, Kallis heaped massive praise on star Indian batter Virat Kohli, opining that it could be his last World Cup at home and he would be keen on making everything of the opportunity. 

“Virat Kohli would be another pick of mine, a magnificent player, he is going to want to set the world alight. Probably the last world cup that he will play in his home country and he will want to finish there with a bang, for me, he is going to play a big role in the top-order for India,” Kallis said.

Continuing on, Kallis named Nortje, Babar and Buttler as his remaining three picks. He stated that Nortje is going to be one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament and that Buttler would be keen on propelling England to swift starts.