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The BCCI men’s selection committee has unveiled India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to be hosted in India from October 5 to November 19. This selection closely resembles the squad currently competing in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, with the notable exceptions of Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna, who didn’t make the cut.
India to host the tournament independently for the first time
India will host host the marquee event for the third time, but this edition marks a unique milestone as it will be the sole host for the first time in history. The tournament is set to kick off on October 5, with a high-profile clash between the finalists of the previous edition, England and New Zealand, scheduled to take place at the renowned Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India’s maiden match in the competition is scheduled for October 8, where they will go head-to-head with Australia in Chennai.
Among the standout fixtures for India, their highly-anticipated showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan is locked in for October 14 in Ahmedabad. This contest is expected to capture the imagination of cricket enthusiasts globally.
Also READ: Australia announces 15-man squad for ODI World Cup 2023; Nathan Ellis among 3 to miss the final cut
Ravi Shastri provides his ultimate assessment
Ravi Shastri, former India head coach and a key figure in the 2019 World Cup campaign, has offered his perspective on the chosen 15-member squad. Shastri, taking to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), expressed his satisfaction with BCCI’s selection and voiced his high expectations for the squad. He urged the players to give their all on the field, emphasizing that victories and defeats are an integral part of the game.
“Excellent team picked. Come on Guys get out there and kick some butt. Win. Lose. Part and Parcel. Bottom line. ENJOY. Respect,” Shastri wrote.
Excellent team picked. Come on Guys get out there and kick some butt. Win. Lose. Part and Parcel. Bottom line. ENJOY. Respect 🇮🇳 https://t.co/KOlNlVaXDN
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) September 5, 2023
India’s previous campaign performance and their quest to end the drought
During Shastri’s tenure as coach, India reached the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup in England, eventually losing to New Zealand in a hard-fought contest. With a strong and capable team well-suited to sub-continental conditions, Team India is anticipated to be a leading contender for the World Cup title. The last major tournament India won was the 2013 Champions Trophy, a memorable victory led by the legendary MS Dhoni.
