The 2023 ICC World Cup has been an absolute blockbuster to watch, and congratulations to Australia for winning their sixth Title, against tournament hosts and favourites India. Today, World In Sport has announced their Team Of The World Cup.
1. Rohit Sharma (IND) (C)
Embed from Getty ImagesHe may have not done enough to help his home nation lift the World Cup, but what an inspirational leader he has been, especially at the top of the oder.
Usually you would expect Sharma to ke like Kohli, and anchor the innings, but the fact that he was willing to be unselfish and think about what the team needed, especially making better use of the powerplay speaks volume about himself as a leader.
“It’s quite important when I talk about role authority. Uh, all seven of us know exactly what we have to go out there and do. and performed the role. Me being the captain of the team. Obviously, I have to decide what I have to do. I how I have to play. And then there was a discussion with the management as well as to what we want to do,”
Sharma: India Today
As Captain, he had an exceptional tournament, however, he made some crucial mistakes in the Final, by not giving Bumrah an extra-over in his first spell, and not being brave in his selection, by persisting with Siraj, and not picking Ashwin, who would have added more depth in India’s batting.
Also, when your team has made a below par score of 240, the only way you our likely to win, is by bowling them out, by having your close-in catchers in place.
At no stage did you see Kuldeep Yadav have slip in place, especially when Marnus Labuschagne attempted back foot cut, took his outside edge and flew past KL Rahul for four. Had their been a slip, 115-3, could have been 111-4.
There was a similar situation, in the first ball of Australia’s innings, where David Warner edged the ball outside his outside his off stump, and it flew right in between Shubman Gill and Kohli, who were unsure whose catch it was. Had one of them gone for it and had taken it, 4-0 would have been 0-1.
Kohli eventually took Warner’s catch at 16-1, but if you think about it from a number three batsman’s perspective 16-1 is a bit easier then walking out to bat on the second ball of the innings.
But that does not take away the fact of how he has led the side in this tournament, especially by reaching the final by remaining undefeated, and who knows, if these small things were noticed, Sharma may well have been lifting the trophy along with his teammates.
2. Quinton de Kock (RSA)
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Proteas have also had an exceptional tournament especially reaching the semi-final, and their wicket-keeper-opening batsman has been at the forefront of it, with 594 runs, and becoming the third highest run-scorer of the tournament. with 594 runs at a strike rate of 107.2.
He also hit four centuries, with the highest score being 174 against Bangladesh in the Super 10 stages at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Embed from Getty ImagesNot to forget being the gloveman with the most dismissals(20), with 19 catches, and one stumping.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, he failed to make a significant contribution in the semi-final against Australia, as he was dismissed for just three runs.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut let us not forget what a tournament he has had, and he still remains one of the most fearless openers in white ball cricket.
Proteas Captain Temba Bavuma paid a tribute to his former teammate.
“We enjoyed playing with Quinton de Kock. He will go down as one of the legends of the game in South Africa. He would have wanted to win the World Cup but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Quinton enjoyed every bit of his time in the dressing room,”
Bavuma: Cricket Times
3. Virat Kohli (IND)
Embed from Getty ImagesKing Kohli, a legend of the game has had an exceptional tournament, where he was the highest run-scorer, with a whopping 765 runs, the highest by any batsman in a 50-Over World Cup.
Kohli scored three hundreds in the tournament.
He also surpassed the great Sachin Tendulkar, with his record breaking 50th ODI century, in the semi-final against New Zealand
Embed from Getty Images“It’s stuff of dreams, Anushka was sitting right there, Sachin paaji was there in the stands,” “I mean, it’s very difficult for me to explain this, but if I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture. My life partner, the person I love the most, she’s sitting there. My hero, he’s sitting there. And I was able to get the 50th in front of all of them and all these fans at Wankhede as well, such a historic venue. It was amazing.”
Kohli: ESPN Cricinfo
Butt it all could have been sweeter if The Men In Blue had capped it off, by lifting the trophy.
4. Rachin Ravindra (NZL)
Embed from Getty ImagesAt number four is the elegant Left-hander from New Zealand. 578 runs at a strike rate of 106.44, is an exceptional performance for someone playing his first World Cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesRavindra lit up the World Cup, with a scintillating 123 not out in the opening game against 2019 winners England. New Zealand were set a target of 283, and chased it down in 36.2 Overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 24-year old also scored a 108 off 94, that helped New Zealand post a mammoth score of 401 against Pakistan at Bengaluru.
But it proved to be in vain, due to Fakhar Zaman’s 126 from 81, which helped the Pakistanis win the match by nine wickets, via the Duckworth Lewis method.
Embed from Getty ImagesEven though the Kiwis reached the semi -finals for the World Cup, they have found a real star of the future.
“As a kid, you always dream of the crowd chanting your name, and it was cool to see them do that on multiple occasions, even when the Australians were batting and also when Jimmy Neesham did his thing at the end,”
Ravindra: Times Of India
5. Travis Head (AUS)
Embed from Getty ImagesThe man who took Australia to the World Cup with a 62 off 48 in the semi-final against South Africa, followed b 137 off 120 in the Final.
Head missed the first few games of the tournament while recovering from a hand injury. but his comeback, lifted the mood of the squad as they went on to win the tournament.
“Not in a million years did I think that would happen [being man of the match today and in the World Test Championship final]. What an amazing day. I’m just thrilled to be a part of it. “It is a lot better than being sat on the couch at home! I’m very lucky that everything went well and I was able to get back and the support that the boys showed, I didn’t think this would happen. I was nervous in the first 20 balls but Marnus [Labuschagne] batted brilliantly and it is great to bat with him. It was an amazing partnership.”
Head: BBC Sport
The Adelaide Left-hander scored a total of 329 runs in six matches, at an average of 52.83, and strike rate of 127.52.
He also scored a centuries against New Zealand in Dharamsala, and became the third Australian after Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, to score a ton in a World Cup Final.
6. Glen Maxwell (AUS)
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Big show from Melbourne certainly put on a big performance for Australia when it mattered in this tournament. The Aussies were down and out at 91-7, chasing a score of 201 against Afghanistan, but his miraculous 201 not out on one leg(due to cramp on left hamstring) broke Afghani hearts, as Australia took their place in the semi-finals.
“It would’ve been nice if it was chanceless, I’ve lived a very charmed life out there. To make the most of it, be not out with Patty (Cummins) out there at the end I’m proud of.”
Maxwell BBC Sport
Maxwell also provided Australia a huge boost by taking the wicket of Sharma in the Final.
Embed from Getty ImagesHad he not taken that wicket, Pat Cummins’s side could have been chasing a scorre somewhere near 280-300, which may have gave India a more realistic shot at trying to defend a target.
7. Ravindra Jadeja (IND)
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother All-rounder who has had a great tournament is India’s premier Left-arm spinner. Jadeja took 16 wickets in this tournament at a economy of 4.25, and strike rate of 35.06,
Embed from Getty ImagesHe also scored aa crucial 39 off 44 to help India win the Super 10 match against New Zealand by four wickets in the Super 10 match in Dharamshala.
Not to forget his two crucial catches to dismiss Glenn Phillips and Daryll Mitchell in the semi-final.
Embed from Getty Images“We had a great tournament but we ended up short yesterday. We are all heartbroken but the support of our people is keeping us going. PM @narendramodi’s visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very motivating.”
Jadeja: Times Of India
8. Adam Zampa (AUS)
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother Australian that has had an exceptional tournament. The second highest wicket-taker, with 24 scalps.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis best figures came against Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, where he picked up 4-8, to help the World Champions skittle the Dutch out for 90.
He also got a crucial wicket of Azmatullah Omarzai in Australia’s crucial Super 10 match against Afghanistan.
Embed from Getty ImagesHad he not taken that wicket, Australia may have been chasing something over 300, which could have been an even trickier task, despite Maxwell’s heroics.
9. Mohammed Shami (IND)
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Hardik Pandya’s injury against Bangladesh early on in the tournament, India had to make a decision on whether to go with seamer Shardul Thakur who can bat a bit, or the extra batter and bowler. The Captain and Coach went for the latter, and it seamed to work wonders from a bowling sense.
Shami picked up 24 scalps at a very impressive average of 10.70, as he became the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. His best performance came against Sri Lanka, where he bowled a breathtaking spell of 5-18 in just five overs.
“I wasn’t playing at the start of the World Cup. When I did, I took five wickets, You can become a better player if you learn to enjoy the success of others as well,’
Shami: Times Of India
A really good performance from somebody who deserved to be on the podium lifting the trophy, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
10. Jasprit Bumrah (IND)
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother man who did not deserve to be on the losing side. India’s premier speedster was the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets.
His best performance came against Afghanistan at Delhi, where he picked up 4-39 in 10 Overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe also took the crucial wicket of Glenn Philips in the semi-final, and Steve Smith in the final, but sadly, it wasn’t enough to stop Head taking the Cup away from India.
But let us not forget the wonderful tournament he has had.
“There are a lot of distractions going on so it’s very important to stay focused, and keep the process going. I’m not treating it any differently, I am trying to treat it like any other game. What has worked for us, sticking to our strengths, our processes. That’s helped us a lot. Whatever has happened is over, we have to stay in the present. All of us are enjoying our company. Shami bhai is on a roll and Siraj is also doing well. A lot of chatter, we all tried to help each other in the group,”
Bumrah: India Today
11. Gerald Coetzee (RSA)
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother man who was instrumental in South Africa’s run to the semi-final. Coetzee was the joint-fourth highest wicket-taker along with Bumrah in this World Cup with 20 wickets, with a slightly higher average of 26.72.
Coetzee came in as a last minute replacement for Anrich Nortje, who pulled out of the tournament due to a ongoing back injury.
His best performance came against Afghanistan in Lucknow, where he took 4-44 to end their slim hopes of qualifying for the semis.
Embed from Getty ImagesInterestingly, his headband is an inspiration from his dad, who used to wear a sock on his forehead as a way of stopping the sweat fron going in his face.
“My dad used to wear a sock around his head when he would cut the grass because we sweat a lot in my family. I wear it to keep the sweat out of my face. I don’t like having my hands in my face the whole time, so it really helped with that. After that it sort of became a thing,”
Coetzee: India Express
He may have not brought the World Cup home for his country, but he has certainly proved to be a potential star of the future.
12th man. Dilshan Madushanka (SL)
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Sri Lankans may have had a tournament to forget, but one man that can hold his head high, is the left-arm speedster from Hambantota
Madushanka was the third-highest wicket-taker, with 21 wickets, at a strike rate of 22.38, and average of 25.
The 21 scalps also makes him the third highest wicket-taker in a World Cup from Sri Lanka, behind Chaminda Vaas who took 23 in South Africa 2003, and the great Muttiah Muralitharan, who also took 23 in the West Indies in 2007.
His best performance was 5-80 against India, in a match where Shubman Gill, Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer took Sri Lanka’s bowlers to the sword, giving the Men In Blue a mammoth score of 357-8.
Embed from Getty ImagesSri Lanka Consultant Coach Mahela Jayawardene was somewhat surprised with the 23-year old’s outstanding performance in India
Embed from Getty Images“To be honest, no, I didn’t expect him to have such a good World Cup,” “I thought it would be a bit too much for him, because it’s his first one-day World Cup. At the start he also didn’t have the experienced guys around him – Dushmantha Chameera wasn’t there. But I thought the young man bowled brilliantly.”
Jayawardene: ESPNCrinfo
Other than Vaas and Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka has struggled to find a crop of quality fast bowlers, but if Madushanka and the likes of Dushmantha Chameera can keep themselves fit, this may just be the start of an evolution of fast bowlers for Sri Lanka.
So this is World In Sport’s Team of the ICC World Cup. Let us know yours.
