ODI World Cup 2023: Best XI of Second Week

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The second week of the World Cup 2023 concluded with the New Zealand versus Afghanistan match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In week two of the cricketing extravaganza, some extraordinary matches gave delight to the eyes of avid cricket followers. 

From India’s one-sided victory against Pakistan in the high-octane game at the Narendra Modi Stadium to the Netherlands’ spectacular triumph against South Africa in Dharamshala, cricket fans witnessed some intriguing games. Following the blockbuster action in these seven days, it’s time to know the best XI of the week.

Here is the second week’s best XI of the World Cup 2023

1. Rohit Sharma (c) 

After starting with a duck against Australia in his opening World Cup 2023 game, India captain Rohit Sharma looked dominating with his bat against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The India skipper amassed 131 off 84 and guided his team to a one-sided win.

In week two, India faced Pakistan in the high-voltage contest in Ahmedabad. Playing the big game, the Men in Blue looked incredible with the ball, restricting the arch-rivals to a paltry 191 runs in 42.5 overs. As a skipper, Rohit led the team with confidence to get the better of the opponents.

His field placement and bowling changes were perfect in the contest. While chasing the low total, the 36-year-old came heavily on Pakistan bowlers, racking up 86 runs off just 63 deliveries with 12 boundaries (six maximus and six fours). His swift batting helped India chase down the total in 30.3 overs and boost the run rate.

2. Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock is one of the leading run-scorers in the tournament so far, with 229 runs in three matches at a magnificent strike rate of 108.01. The Protea player is in stunning form in this competition as he exuded confidence in the first two games scoring centuries.

Following the century against Sri Lanka in his team’s maiden game, De Kock took Australia’s bowling attack to the cleaners in Lucknow. At the toss, the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first. De Kock gave a perfect start to his team and made Cummins regret his decision.

The stylish opener never looked troubled against the Aussie bowlers and went on to score his second ton of this World Cup. He winded up his innings on 108 off 106 and his knock played a vital role in taking South Africa to a score of 311 runs in 50 overs. South Africa folded the Aussies on 177 and registered a convincing 134-run win. De Kock received the Player of the Match award for his spunky innings. 

3. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson played his first match of the World Cup 2023 against Bangladesh in Chennai. Leading the team for the first time in this tournament, Williamson emerged victorious at the toss against his counterpart Shakib Al Hasan. The Kiwi skipper put the Bangla side to bat first and his decision worked as New Zealand bowlers contained Bangladesh on 245 only.

Chasing the total, the 2019 World Cup runners-up lost Rachin Ravindra in the third over of the game. Following the youngster’s dismissal, the veteran Williamson came out in the middle to support Devon Conway. Both batters kept patience and exhausted the Bangla bowlers with their calm batting attitude.

Along with Conway, Williamson stitched an 80-run partnership and kept the team in the chase. Conway went back to the pavilion after scoring 45 off 59 but Williamson continued his onslaught against the bowlers. The star player stitched a 106-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell and took his side close to the target. The 33-year-old’s innings came to a halt when he suffered a thumb fracture while countering Taskin Ahmed in the 38th over. He retired and returned to the dugout after scoring an unbeaten 78 off 107.

4. Harry Brook

England struggled against Afghanistan on Delhi’s turning track and registered a humiliating 69-run defeat. It’s the second loss of the English side in this tournament and now Jos Buttler and his men have to make a comeback, winning upcoming games to advance to the knockouts.

The England team were tasked to chase 285 against the Afghan side at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Noting England’s batting depth, cricket pundits were expecting the defending champions to crush the Afghan team comfortably. However, they lost wickets in regular intervals and got bundled out on 215 runs. 

In England’s batting line-up, only Harry Brook looked solid with his bat, accumulating 66 off 61. Confronting Afghanistan’s emboldened bowling unit, the youngster stood at one end and scored some good runs. However, his fine innings came to an end as the run rate was mounting consistently and he wasn’t getting required support from the other end.  

5. Glenn Phillips

New Zealand are at the top of the points table with four of four wins. In the second week, they beat Bangladesh and Afghanistan without any hassle and put themselves in a great position in the tournament. Against Bangladesh, Lockie Ferguson and Daryl Mitchell looked confident and guided the side to an eight-wicket win.

After hammering Bangladesh, New Zealand outclassed Afghanistan by 149 runs in Chennai. Noting the Afghan team’s dominating show against the defending champions, the Kiwis looked cautious in the contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. In Kane Williamson’s absence, Tom Latham came out at the toss.

Luck Favoured Afghanistan’s skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and he invited the Black Caps to bat first. During the game, there was a time when New Zealand found themselves under pressure losing four wickets at a score of 110 in 21.4 overs. In the crunch situation, Glenn Phillips and skipper Latham stepped up and played scintillating knocks of 71 (80) and 68 (74), respectively. Following the huge victory, Phillips became the Player of the Match for his incredible batting.

6. Scott Edwards (wk)

In the second week, the Netherlands performed a turnaround, registering a 38-run win against South Africa in Dharamshala. Prior to the contest, the Proteas were favourites to win the game as Temba Bavuma and his men had pummeled Sri Lanka and Australia by huge margins earlier.

South Africa captain Bavuma won the toss and elected to field first. Things were under the Proteas’ control until the 34th over of the game as the Orange Army lost its seven batters at a score of 140. From here the Dutch captain Scott Edwards took the matter into his hands and piled up unbeaten 78 runs off 69 balls.

During his plucky knock, the wicketkeeper-batter hit 10 fours and a maximum. Edwards’ innings helped his team post 245 runs on the board in 43 overs, giving a lifeline to the Netherlands. The Dutch bowlers never gave South Africa a chance to make a comeback in the game again. South Africa capitulated on 207 runs and Edwards became the Player of the Match at the end of the day for his incredible innings.

7. Marco Jansen

South Africa didn’t look at their best the last week. The Temba Bavuma-led team lost their previous game against the Netherlands in Dharamshala and faced a lot of criticism. Earlier, the Proteas started their week confidently with a 134-run win against the Aussies in Lucknow.

De Kock shone with his bat in the match against Australia, scoring 109 off 106. Aiden Markram also chipped in with a half-century while Marco Jansen also showcased his batting mettle, scoring 26 runs off 22 and helping his side put up 311 runs on the board. After performing brilliantly with his bat, the 23-year-old also scalped two wickets.

Jansen looked superb with the ball against the Netherlands as well. The lanky speedster grabbed two wickets in his eight-over spell at an economy of 3.38. With these fine bowling numbers, he became the best bowler for the Proteas in the contest. 

8. Mitchell Santner

New Zealand are looking outstanding in this tournament thus far and the credit for their success goes to their disciplined players. Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Trent Boult are doing their job excellently in this competition. On India’s spinning surfaces, the Kiwi stalwart Mitchell Santner has also been consistent.

In New Zealand’s eight-wicket win against Bangladesh, Santner delivered a frugal spell to his team. Bowling 10 overs, the left-arm spinner gave away only 31 runs and took Taskin Ahmed’s wicket. Against Afghanistan, the 31-year-old displayed his magic again with his sensational bowling at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Taking advantage of Chennai’s turning wicket, Santner assisted his colleague Lockie Ferguson and dismissed three batters in 7.4 overs. He also bagged the prized scalps of Mohammad Nabi. His bowling efforts restricted the Afghan team to 139 runs in 34.4 overs.

9. Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka haven’t done anything special in this tournament so far. In their three outings, the 1996 champions haven’t won any game as their bowling hasn’t been up to the mark. Except for Dilshan Madushanka, all other bowlers have failed to pick up wickets in this competition.

In the second week as well, Sri Lanka were deprived of their first win by Australia. At the EKANA Stadium, the Aussies handed a five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka. In the absence of Dasun Shanka due to an injury, Kusal Mendis led the side. Winning the toss, he elected to bat first on the batting pitch.

However, Sri Lanka were folded on 209 runs despite getting a great start from their openers. Defending 210, Madushanka looked lethal with the ball, dismissing David Warner and Steven Smith in his second over. The left-arm pacer bagged 3-38 figures in his nine-over spell in the losing cause. 

10. Jasprit Bumrah

India are in the second position on the points table with four off four wins and in their scintillating triumphs, Jasprit Bumrah has played an enormous part with the ball. Currently, he is the second-leading wicket-taker in the competition, picking up 10 wickets in four matches at an economy of 3.62.

In the second week, India and Pakistan locked horns with each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The game was won by the Men in Blue comfortably with seven wickets in hand. Rohit Sharma became the Player of the Match for his stunning 86-run knock off 63 balls.

Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah put up an impressive show with the ball, clinching two wickets in his seven-over spell. With Pakistan five down at a score of 166, Bumrah added salt to the Green Army’s injury, dismissing the wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan. 

11. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav has played a key factor in India’s four consecutive victories in the tournament. The left-arm spinner has taken six wickets in four matches at an economy of 4.10. In India’s World Cup 2023 campaign, the spin-bowling stalwart will have to continue his excellent form 

In the high-octane game against Pakistan, Kuldeep formed a formidable pair with Ravindra Jadeja and delivered a notable performance to his side. The 28-year-old stepped up and scripted Pakistan’s collapse, clinching the crucial scalps of Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed. 

He concluded his majestic 10-over spell with 2/35 figures. Following his attack, Jasprit Bumrah also cleaned up Rizwan and Shadab to help India have command over the game. In the upcoming weeks, Kuldeep’s endeavours will be to daunt batters with his bowling excellence.