The ODI World Cup 2023 is about to begin and teams are gearing up for the biggest World event in cricket. 10 teams, 4 Semifinalists, and 1 title winner. India are the host and it is the first time that the cricketing giant nation will solely host the global event. The first game will see the defending champions, England, taking on the runners-up of the last edition, New Zealand. The game will be played on Thursday, October 5, at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
As the tournament is being played at the beginning of the winter season, we may see dew playing a big factor in the later half of the tournament but it seems like dry wickets could be possible in the beginning. Teams will also try to have more than five bowling options, as in Asia a bowler can easily have a day off.
With a lot of 300+ scores possible due to the vast expansion of T20 cricket. Australia, India, and England are considered favourites again but Pakistan and New Zealand can never be ruled out. South Africa and Sri Lanka as well have shown a lot of promise lately.
Here we are discussing the best possible XI for all 10 teams of ODI World Cup 2023:
1.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan Team. (Photo Source: ICC)
Afghanistan are playing their third ODI World Cup and has the best chance this time with Indian conditions being favourable for spinners which is Afghanistan’s best foot forward. With the likes of Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the team, Afghanistan can beat any side on their day.
The key for them will be finding a balance between spinners and pacers as they usually tend to play extra spinners that can cost them during the powerplay. They start their campaign against Bangladesh at Dharamsala, on Saturday, October 7.
Best Playing 11 for Afghanistan for ODI World Cup 2023:
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq
2. Australia
Australian Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Australia are one of the biggest contenders of this tournament. They are the five-time World Cup champions and have an amazing depth in their batting. Their pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc is enough to put any team under pressure but the key to their success is the presence of all-rounders. Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell can win games with both bat and the ball.
The Men in Yellow will start their campaign against the hosts, India, on October 8, in Chennai on Sunday. However, the only thing that may bother them is the absence of the second front-line spinner. Adam Zampa will be accompanied by Glenn Maxwell in the spin department with Ashton Agar ruled out.
Best Playing 11 for Afghanistan for ODI World Cup 2023:
Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
3. Pakistan
Pakistan-Team. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)
While Pakistan hold the second position in the ICC rankings currently, they face some stiff challenges ahead. The recent struggles of Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul Haq, coupled with a decline in the spin bowling department, notably, vice-captain Shadab Khan’s disappointing form in recent months, highlight areas for improvement.
The team’s success in the ODI World Cup 2023, hinges on key players like skipper Babar Azam, Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi finding their form. Also, they will highly rely on Iftikhar Ahmed to strike big in the end-overs as their team lacks hard-hitting capability at the top.
Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule
Best Playing 11 for Pakistan for ODI World Cup 2023:
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali
4.
The Netherlands
Netherlands ODI Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The suggested lineup would strategically position Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd as the preferred opening duo, thereby offering stability and firepower at the start of the innings. In the middle-order, The Netherlands will rely on the experienced Wesley Barresi, the dynamic Scott Edwards, and the versatile Bas de Leede to consolidate and build innings effectively.
To bolster the batting depth and provide late-innings momentum, Teja Nidamanuru, Saqib Zulfiqar, and Roelef van der Merwe will be the key all-rounders for the Dutch side. When it comes to the bowling department, the trio of Logan van Beek, Paul van Meekeren, and Aryan Dutt would form the nucleus of the Netherlands’ attack.
Best Playing 11 for Netherlands for ODI World Cup 2023:
Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards (c/wk), Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Saqib Zulfiqar, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Paul van Meekeren, Aryan Dutt
5. Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Sri Lanka have felt the impact of losing Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, leading to a notable decline in their playing XI’s overall stability. In the current lineup of the Lankan Lions, Kusal Perera emerges as a potential game-changer at the top of the order. He can receive valuable support from Kusal Mendis who was in exceptional touch during the Asia Cup 2023 and Sadeera Samarawickrama in the middle-order.
As for the bowling department, much will depend on the contributions of Wellalage, Pathirana, and Theekshana. The role of all-rounders especially of the Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka is going to be vital for the 2011 runner-ups.
Best Playing 11 for Sri Lanka for ODI World Cup 2023:
Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara
6. South Africa
South Africa. (Photo Source: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
South Africa stand out as a strong contender in the ODI World Cup 2023, due to the remarkable consistency displayed by their players in recent times. Their team boasts an exceptional batting unit characterized by not only top-order prowess but also impressive batting depth.
Skipper Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram form a very solid batting unit with Quinton De Kock and David Miller going in with killer intent. Their bowling has felt the blow of Anrich Nortje’s absence but they still look good on the paper with all the variety the Proteas possess.
Best Playing 11 for South Africa for ODI World Cup 2023:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi
7. New Zealand
New Zealand. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
New Zealand appear to be well-rounded, with strengths in all areas. They possess a formidable batting lineup, complemented by the presence of exceptional all-rounders. Furthermore, their spin bowling resources, including Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, and Mark Chapman, are vigorous. Reaching Rachin Ravindra’s arrival has only made the team stronger.
In the pace bowling department, New Zealand can rely on their established talents, including the likes of the vastly experienced Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson, respectively. Captain Kane Williamson and Tom Latham will form the batting core as the team is very reliant on these experienced campaigners.
Best Playing 11 for New Zealand for ODI World Cup 2023:
Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitch Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
8. Bangladesh
Bangladesh. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Within the Bangladesh cricket team’s playing XI, several superstars stand out, including the illustrious all-rounder and skipper Shakib Al Hasan, the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim, the talented Mehidy Miraz, and the pace duo of Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed. The absence of Tamim Iqbal can be vital with the experience he possesses but Bangladesh have enough resources in the wings.
These individuals, with their exceptional skills and track records, hold the key to Bangladesh’s success and will be pivotal in determining the team’s performance throughout the competition. Their collective contributions and consistency are expected to play a significant role in Bangladesh’s quest for success in upcoming matches.
Best Playing 11 for Bangladesh for ODI World Cup 2023:
Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
9. England
England team pic in ODI (Photo Source: Twitter)
England boast of a robust and well-balanced lineup. At the top, they showcase an outstanding opening pair with the likes of Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow. The middle-order is a pillar of strength, anchored by the presence of the legendary former skipper Ben Stokes, and Joe Root, offering resilience and versatility.
England’s finishing capabilities are equally impressive, thanks to the presence of Captain Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Moeen Ali. While Sam Curran, Mark Wood, and Joe Root undeniably possess immense potential, their performance in the ODI format over the past 3-4 years has been consistently decent.
Best Playing 11 for England for ODI World Cup 2023:
Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c&wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
10. India
Indian Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Team India boast of a top order that can hardly be improved upon, featuring the extraordinary talents of skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. The middle-order appears to be in fine form, with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul taking on key roles.
Also Check: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Points Table
Furthermore, India’s all-rounders, which include the likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, present an impressive mixture of skills. Similarly, the bowling lineup is nothing short of fantastic, with Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah forming a challenging trio that can make a substantial impact in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 matches.
Best Playing 11 for India for ODI World Cup 2023:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj