The Indian team is set to host the ODI World Cup in October and November this year. Ahead of the prestigious tournament, former India cricketers and fans are speculating about the possible playing XI and squad for the marquee event. Meanwhile, former India cricketer and World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth backed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as an ex-factor for India.
According to Srikkanth, Jadeja will play the same role as Yuvraj Singh did in 2011. “In the 2011 World Cup, you saw a lot of all-rounders coming into play. We had a fantastic side, very well led by MS Dhoni, too, and that time we had Yuvraj Singh. I believe Ravindra Jadeja will do what Yuvraj Singh did in the 2011 World Cup. I believe Jadeja, the Axar Patels… these people will play a very crucial role if India has to win this 2023 World Cup,” Srikkanth was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
It’s worth noting that in India’s historic World Cup triathlon in 2011, Yuvraj Singh played a vital role. He has been phenomenal throughout the tournament, scoring more than 350 runs and picking up 15 wickets. He was named player of the tournament for his all-around performances.
Meanwhile, Jadeja has been a crucial part of the Indian team in the last few years. The 34-year-old has played 174 One-Day Internationals and scored 2526 runs at an average of 32.80, including 13 fifties. In the format, he has also taken 191 wickets at an average of 37.39.
“If he plays, India will be favourites,”, Srikkanth says about Rishabh Pant.
The Indian team is looking for a left-handed batting option for the upcoming tournament. In the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, the team is keen to onboard a left-handed attacking batting option. However, speaking about the same and Rishabh Pant’s injury, Kris Srikkanth said that if Pant plays, India will be the favourites.
“We don’t know the real truth about Rishabh Pant. If he were playing, I would straightaway say India are the real favourite. But Pant’s fitness is obviously questionable. Nobody knows how fit he will be before the World Cup. I doubt it, and a lot of people doubt if he is going to play in the 2023 World Cup. Otherwise, the Rishabh Pant factor would have been very crucial,” Kris Srikkanth told India Today.
“Even Ishan Kishan, if he makes it to the team, could be a dangerous cricketer. I believe Ishan Kishan is going to be a good player. I believe that guys like KL Rahul should be back in the middle order. He will be fantastic. You have Rohit Sharma opening, Shubman Gill, and King Kohli, who is fantastic in this format and has been doing well. He’s been in form, so I believe India has the capability of winning the World Cup,” Srikkanth further added.
Here is how fans reacted to Kris Srikkanth’s comments:
Yuvi was a batting all-rounder whereas jaddu is more a bowling all-rounder. Jaddu has the potential to be the game changer for India if the wickets offer more spin than expected.
— Chetan Bhat (@chetdb) June 29, 2023
Even I feel the same . Why can't jadeja be our no 4 for wc in the absence of sreyas Iyer .He is too good a batsmen to play at no 4 . He can bowl 10 overs too.
Gives the captain the freedom of having 6 bowling options easily— Yashwanth (@bittuyash18) June 29, 2023
I'm the only one who wants axar patel in playing 11
— Himanshu?? (@proudindian7197) June 29, 2023
At his best yuvraj was far bigger match winner than jaddu atleast on crucial icc knockout matches. Jaddu is best all rounder for us now and hope he makes me wrong.
— I V (@infvoy) June 29, 2023
But who will do what Gambhir & Dhoni did in the final??
— NK (@nirmal_indian) June 29, 2023
Who will do what dhoni and gambhir did in finals because these days usually they are able to reach finals,but falter at the big stage of finals
— Noone (@UdtaS) June 29, 2023
Yes, India need to assign him no. 4 position as he is the only left handed batsman in XI plus has experience to Play in the middle and as well good in running between the wickets..
— PV (@PankajVerma67) June 29, 2023
Yuvi's bowling in that world cup was so good that if jadeja reached yuvi's standards atleast in bowling dept , then India will be benefitted alot..
— ICF (@IndCricketFan) June 29, 2023
It's true but who will do sachin,zaheer khan and dhoni roles that's what it matters
— Pushpa The Rule ? (@Allu_BhaiFan) June 29, 2023
Yuvi comes at 5 but jadeja comes at 7 makes difference here… jadeja surely be good finisher at lower order
— Nee Man (@neeman02) June 29, 2023
I would say Jadeja's bowling performance will decide our fate in the WC
— DJ_Here (@DJHere5) June 29, 2023
After CSK IPL 2023 final win, Everyone is seeing him with different perspective.
— Cricket Tycoon (@CricketTycoon) June 29, 2023
Yuvraj is the main reason for our 2011 WC win
— Cricket Crazy (@CrazyinCricket) June 29, 2023
I love Jaddu to bits but there is no one like Yuvi. The guy can single handedly win you games from no where and he was a very handy spinner.
Dhoni, Kohli n now Rohit have failed to replace yuvi in the batting XI since 2011. That’s been the cause of India’s downfall in ICC comps— Aswin Viswanathan (@CallMeAchu) June 29, 2023
India ne kabhi jadeja ko 4 no. Pr try kyo nhi kia? Allrounder player with solid defence and attacking batsman and fielder
— Dr. Dang (@thakursahab_420) June 29, 2023
Virat kohli will do what Tendulkar did for us in 2011
— Mr. Fickle (@mrbihariboi) June 29, 2023
India then had Raina, Yuvi, Dhoni in middle order. No one is near to these in current combination.
— Rahul (@RahulSanar) June 29, 2023
