After the successful ending of the World Cup 2023 league stage has seen India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand secure semi-final berths. India’s unbeaten streak marked them as the standout team in the tournament. It is no brainer that the Indian team players have shown some brilliant gameplay as well as have been league apart from rest of the players. It is a no brainer that if a team is made based on the league stage then it will be definitely led by Rohit Sharma.
In addition to it, the players like Virat Kohli along with few other key contributors such as Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja will unanimously find their spot in the playing XI. India’s well-rounded performance showcased each player’s crucial role in the title pursuit. South Africa and Australia faced two defeats each, while New Zealand secured victories in 5 out of 9 matches.
Let us look at other players who have also found their way in the team based on some brilliant performances in the World Cup 2023 so far;
Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock has exhibited brilliant skills against various adversaries, he attained the second-highest run tally in the competition and established a new record for the most runs by a South African in a single World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batsman accumulated 591 runs in 9 matches during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, maintaining an impressive average of 65.67. With a striking rate of 109.2, he notched up four centuries in the tournament, with a highest score of 174.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma displayed stellar form in the ODI World Cup 2023, contributing significantly to India’s success. The captain’s dynamic performances, including a record-breaking 23 sixes, a half-century against the Netherlands, and overall leadership, propelled India to the semi-finals. His batting prowess and strategic captaincy were instrumental in India’s impressive campaign. He will also be leading the side.
In the nine innings which the star India opener has played he has scored 503 runs with a highest score of 131 runs which came against Afghanistan. In addition to it, he has scored runs at an average of 55.88 including three half centuries and one century.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has been characteristically prolific, with two centuries equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI tons (49). Kohli has accumulated 594 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 99.00 and a strike rate of 88.50. The legendary Indian batter has notched up 2 centuries and 5 fifties, with the highest individual score being 103 not-out.
Rachin Ravindra
The 23-year-old New Zealand player had a breakthrough tournament, setting the tone with a century in the opening match against England and continuing with impressive performances against Australia and Pakistan, including a notable 75 against India. He accumulated a total of 565 runs in 9 matches with a strike rate of 70.63, featuring 3 centuries and 2 half-centuries in the league stage. His highest individual score was an unbeaten 123. Furthermore, he showcased his bowling skills, securing 5 wickets at an economy rate of 5.68 throughout the tournament.
KL Rahul
One of the very few players at number position who can play according to the situation. The star India wicketkeeper batter has shown throughout the World Cup that he can very well adapt to the need of the team and then play accordingly. In the nine games which he has played so far in the competition, Rahul has scored 347 runs at an average of 69.40. Meanwhile the star wicketkeeper batter has also scored runs at a strike rate of 93.53 with one century and one half century.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell’s rapid 40-ball century against the Netherlands stands as the fastest in the tournament’s history, while his unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan broke additional records, serving as a solo rescue mission for Australia. Maxwell’s off-spin has played a vital role in balancing the Australian attack, allowing only 4.95 runs per over, complementing Adam Zampa effectively. In 7 matches, he accumulated 397 runs at an impressive strike rate of 152.7, securing two centuries, with the highest being 201 not-out. Additionally, he contributed with the ball, claiming 5 wickets at an economical rate of 4.95.
Marco Jansen
An impressive tournament for Marco Jansen, showcasing growth in his reputation with both bat and ball. Jansen outperformed in the first 10 overs, claiming 12 wickets compared to Madushanka’s nine, and made significant contributions during the Powerplay, taking two wickets in five out of his eight matches. The tall all-rounder accumulated 157 runs in 8 matches at a strike rate of 111.3, including a fifty. On the bowling front, he secured 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.40, adding to his impactful all-round performance in the tournament.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has established himself as India’s go-to spin weapon, presenting a challenging target for opponents and consistently taking wickets. The versatile all-rounder has contributed 111 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 115.6. On the bowling front, he has excelled with 16 wickets, demonstrating an impressive economy rate of 3.96. In the recent match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Jadeja showcased his bowling prowess by securing a five-wicket haul.
Mohammed Shami
After surprisingly missing selection in India’s first four matches, Mohammed Shami has unleashed a stellar performance, bagging 16 wickets in five games. He tore through New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka, securing hauls of five, four, and five wickets, respectively. Despite playing in just five matches, Shami has accumulated 16 wickets in the World Cup, maintaining an economy rate of 4.78. Notably, he has recorded two 5-wicket hauls in the tournament.
Adam Zampa
Despite grappling with several physical challenges in this tournament, ranging from a pool-related injury to back spasms, Adam Zampa has impressively bounced back to finish the group stage as the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup. Zampa has etched his name into an elite list by securing three consecutive four-wicket hauls in ODIs, delivering standout performances against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. The Australian spinner has set the World Cup on fire with 22 scalps in 9 matches and maintains a commendable economy rate of 5.27 in the tournament so far.
Jasprit Bumrah
Despite a lack of recent cricket due to a back injury, Jasprit Bumrah has shown no signs of rust, consistently taking wickets in all but one of India’s nine matches. Bumrah holds the lowest economy rate among bowlers with more than one match, and his Powerplay economy is even more remarkable at an extraordinary 2.95 runs per over. With 17 wickets to his name, Bumrah ranks among the top wicket-takers in the tournament, maintaining an economy rate of 3.65.
