Table of Contents
- Star-studded lineup: AB de Villiers’ team of the tournament
- Opening brilliance: Travis Head and Rohit Sharma in crucial roles
- Virat Kohli’s dominance: A tournament for the ages
- Emerging Talents: Rachin Ravindra and Shreyas Iyer’s stellar performances
- Glenn Maxwell’s Impact: A versatile all-rounder in Australia’s triumph
- Lethal spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Adam Zampa
- Pace bowling excellence: Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka and Mohammed Shami lead the attack
In the aftermath of the exhilarating ODI World Cup 2023, former South African batting maestro AB de Villiers has curated his distinguished ‘Team of the Tournament’ in a recent announcement on his YouTube channel.
Star-studded lineup: AB de Villiers’ team of the tournament
This elite squad represents a compilation of standout performances from cricketing luminaries across various teams, showcasing excellence in both batting and bowling spectrums. Remarkably, the lineup predominantly features a diverse range of contributors, with only one South African cricketer earning a spot in the playing eleven.
Opening brilliance: Travis Head and Rohit Sharma in crucial roles
Heading the opening department is Travis Head from Australia, who etched his name in the annals of the tournament’s history with a match-winning knock of 137 in 120 balls against India in the final. His opening partner is none other than India’s explosive skipper, Rohit Sharma. Sharma provided robust starts in every game and amassed an impressive 597 runs at an average of 54.27, playing a pivotal role in Team India’s unbeaten run until the final.
Virat Kohli’s dominance: A tournament for the ages
The crucial number three spot in de Villiers’ lineup is rightfully occupied by Virat Kohli, who orchestrated a tournament for the ages. Kohli’s monumental 765 runs at an imposing average of 95.62 surpassed Sachin Tendulkar‘s illustrious 673-run tally set in 2003.
Emerging Talents: Rachin Ravindra and Shreyas Iyer’s stellar performances
New Zealand’s young batting sensation Rachin Ravindra claims the fourth spot, setting the cricketing world ablaze with outstanding exploits. As the leading run-scorer of the tournament, Ravindra amassed a staggering 578 runs at an average of 64.22, featuring three centuries and two fifties, complemented by his left-arm spin that contributed five crucial wickets. The fifth position is secured by Shreyas Iyer, who showcased brilliance throughout the tournament, scoring 530 runs in eleven innings at an impressive average of 66.25, with three fifty-plus scores and two centuries.
Also READ: From Rachin Ravindra to Shreyas Iyer: Impactful debutants from each participating team in the ODI World Cup 2023
Glenn Maxwell’s Impact: A versatile all-rounder in Australia’s triumph
The sixth spot is reserved for the versatile all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, instrumental in Australia’s title triumph. Maxwell’s centuries against the Netherlands and Afghanistan, the former being the fastest-ever in the competition’s history, and the latter being the only double hundred in a chasing effort, underscore his pivotal role.
Lethal spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Adam Zampa
Ravindra Jadeja, a lethal spinner in the middle overs and a dependable batter and fielder, earns the seventh spot. The all-rounder played a pivotal role in India’s commanding run, claiming 16 wickets and scoring at an average of over 40 in the tournament. The eighth position goes to Adam Zampa, the Aussie leg-spinner, who concluded the tournament with 23 wickets in eleven games, the most by a spinner in a single edition alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.
Pace bowling excellence: Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka and Mohammed Shami lead the attack
Gerald Coetzee, the 23-year-old pace sensation from South Africa, occupies the ninth spot after leaving an indelible mark in his debut World Cup. Despite South Africa’s semifinal loss to Australia, Coetzee’s late burst in the game showcased his talent and commitment, finishing the tournament with 20 wickets at an average of 19.80, setting a new record for the most wickets by a South African in their debut ICC Men’s World Cup.
At number ten, Dilshan Madushanka emerges as a revelation for Sri Lanka, showcasing remarkable strength and determination. The left-arm pacer spearheaded the Lankan attack, picking up an impressive 21 wickets at an average of 25.00. Finally, the eleventh spot is claimed by Mohammad Shami, who concluded the tournament as the highest wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 24 wickets from seven games.
