The ODI World Cup 2023 is well underway, and hosts India are all set to kick off their campaign by taking on the Pat Cummins-led Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8.
Team India was quite unlucky in the World Cup warm-up games, as both of their games against England and the Netherlands were abandoned due to rain. However, the side will look to go into their clash against Australia with some confidence from their recent Asia Cup 2023 win.
Here’s India’s predicted XI against Australia:
Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan
Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be expected to open the innings for his side; the veteran batter has been in good form as of late. The 36-year-old last featured for India in the third ODI of the recently concluded series against Australia. The skipper played a brilliant knock of 81 runs in 57 deliveries, and he will look to continue his form as India kicks off their World Cup campaign as well.
Ishan Kishan could be a sporadic choice for India in their first game against Australia. Kishan could only be included in India’s lineup against Australia if Shubman Gill is ruled out of the clash. The ace opener had recently fallen ill and is doubtful for the clash.
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk)
KL Rahul. (Photo Source: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Boasting some of the best batters in world cricket, India’s middle order will consist of Virat Kohli. Renowned as one of the best batters of all time, Kohli’s form and consistency are unheard of. If India are looking to go far into the competition, Kohli is going to be a vital cog for the side.
The middle order will further be boosted by Shreyas Iyer. Having played 47 ODIs, Iyer has garnered some significant experience playing for India. Iyer has amassed 1801 runs to his name, and he will look to provide India with some much-needed stability in the middle order.
Ace batter KL Rahul will serve as the wicketkeeper for India against Australia. Ever since his return from injury, Rahul has showcased his class whenever he has gotten the chance. Furthermore, he is also one of the most in-form batters for India currently, having scored 305 runs in his last seven matches. If the hosts are looking to post a big total on the board, Rahul’s knock will come in handy.
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: BCCI)
India’s all-rounders are some of the best in the world. Efficient with both the bat and the ball, Ravindra Jadeja could prove to be one of the most important players for India. Having played 186 ODIs for India, Jadeja has amassed 2636 runs to his name and taken 204 wickets. His performance could be one of the most crucial for India in the World Cup.
Ace all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin will be another crucial player for India. Being one of the most experienced players in the squad, Ashwin has played 115 ODIs, where he has scored 155 wickets and scored 707 runs. He was included in the squad after Axar Patel was ruled out due to injury.
Hardik Pandya will complete India’s all-rounder lineup. Having played 82 ODIs for India, Pandya has amassed 1758 runs to his name and has taken 79 wickets, Pandya’s efficiency with both the bat and the ball could be something that India could make big use of.
Bowlers: Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav
Siraj Ronaldo celebration (Photo Source: Twitter)
India’s bowling attack will consist of Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav. All three players are some of the best in their field. Siraj has risen through the ranks in recent months and is one of the most in-form players for India, with 11 wickets in his last six games. Siraj’s spell could terrorise the Australian batters.
Coming back from injury, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will look to put in his best performance. At the peak of his powers, there are very few batters who can take on Bumrah. With 129 wickets in 78 ODIs, Bumrah could be one player that could make a major difference for India.
Kuldeep Yadav will add to India’s spin prowess. Alongside the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja, Kuldeep has been performing superbly in recent months. With 13 wickets in his last seven games, it could be interesting to see how the spinner performs.
India’s predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav