India’s World Cup 2023 Squad to be announced today: With the completion of the three-game One Day International (ODI) series between India and Australia, the preparation phase for both sides comes to an end. The two sides will now show up in the ICC World Cup 2023, the tournament that has been long awaited by the fans and players themselves.
All 10 squads for the ICC World Cup 2023 will be released today i.e., September 28. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will not allow any changes in the finalized 15-member squad after September 28. The replacements made after the deadline would require permission from the apex cricket body.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also set to announce its final set of 15 players for the ICC World Cup 2023 today. Although India has already named a provisional squad, there might be a few changes to that.
Among the 15-men Indian squad, Axar Patel vs Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the most debated topics. Experts from all corners of the world have given their opinions as to who should be preferred ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, ahead of India vs Australia 3rd ODI, said that the management has already selected the squad for the upcoming showpiece event and there is clarity among the players.
Sharma ruled out the possibility of last-minute inclusion of players as he said that the team is very clear and confident in its preparations.
India’s World Cup 2023 Squad – Axar vs Ashwin Debate
Notably, as injury concerns emerged with Axar Patel, Team India called in Washington Sundar as his replacement during the Asia Cup 2023. Indian captain Rohit Sharma informed that the decision to rope in Washington Sundar was purely because he was match-ready and they had R Ashwin in their plans as well.
A couple of days later, the BCCI released India’s squad for the three-game ODI series against Australia, which marked the comeback of senior off-spinner R Ashwin. The spinner was given a nod ahead of Sundar, in the first two games, and the decision turned out to be fruitful for the Indian team. Ashwin scalped four wickets in two games and troubled the Aussie batters quite easily.
However, later reports came up that Axar Patel would be fit by the time India plays their warm-up matches ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, which created an ambiguity among the fans and experts that there might be a race between Axar Patel and R Ashwin for the World Cup 2023 squad.
But, as it turns out, it was learned from the official sources that Axar Patel, if proven fit, would get the first preference in the pecking order for the World Cup 2023 squad. R Ashwin would walk into the side only if Axar fails to prove his fitness and gets ruled out.
“When we talk about the 15 we are very clear what we want. We are not confused, we know where we are headed as a team. It’s a team sport and we want everyone to come and play their part – that’s how we win championships. It’s about looking after the body and try and stay fresh for the next one and half months,” Rohit said after Australia salvaged pride with a win over India in the dead rubber at Rajkot.
Besides the Axar vs Ashwin debate, other department of the Indian team looks settled as of now. The top order is on song and firing. The middle order also showcased their prowesses in the last couple of matches. Moreover, there is no stopping the Indian bowlers as they too performed to their best.
Below is Team India’s World Cup 2023 Squad:
India’s World Cup 2023 Squad – Provisional
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel/R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Shardul Thakur.
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