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The ODI World Cup 2023 is captivating cricket enthusiasts worldwide with its enthralling matches. The host nation, India, have set the tournament ablaze with a flawless record of five wins in as many games. They are the only undefeated team in the competition and occupy the top spot on the points table.
Strong competition from South Africa and New Zealand
While India’s dominance is unquestionable, South Africa and New Zealand are not far behind. Both teams have showcased remarkable consistency, with only one loss in their five matches, placing them second and third in the rankings, respectively. These three teams have emerged as the frontrunners in the World Cup.
Centuries galore in the ongoing event
One of the standout features of the World Cup 2023 has been the impressive performances by the batsmen. Several centuries have been scored, mainly by top-order batsmen, adding to the tournament’s excitement.
Openers shine in the spotlight
Openers, in particular, have taken the spotlight, delivering outstanding performances and garnering appreciation from fans and experts alike. The quality and consistency of openers have been a defining factor in the success of their respective teams.
Also READ: Twitter reactions – Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen shine as South Africa thrash Bangladesh; Mahmudullah’s ton in vain – ODI World Cup 2023
Matthew Hayden’s pick for opening partner
Recently, the legendary Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden, known for his aggressive batting during his playing days and currently an engaging commentator, was posed with a challenging question. During a rapid-fire round on ESPNcricinfo, Hayden was asked to choose his opening partner from the ongoing edition of the World Cup.
The choices included some of the world’s top cricketing talents, with names such as Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, Litton Das, David Warner, Dawid Malan, Devon Conway, Kusal Perera, Mitchell Marsh, Imam-ul-Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shubman Gill, and Rohit Sharma.
At first, Hayden expressed his preference for Gill as his opening partner. However, his choice underwent a swift change when Rohit’s name entered the equation. Given the task of picking just one between the two, Hayden opted for the Indian skipper as his preferred opening partner.
Rohit Sharma’s remarkable World Cup performance
Notably, Rohit currently stands as the third highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023 and is the second-highest scoring opening batter after De Kock, who leads the list. Rohit has amassed 311 runs from 5 games, showcasing an outstanding average of 62.20. His impressive record includes one century and a half-century, solidifying his position as one of the standout performers in this global cricket extravaganza.
