Expectations
Quite high. They are the glamour boys of cricket, the richest and the most famous team. When India play a World Cup on home turf, expectations will soar. That they won it the last time it was played in these conditions will add spice to every discussion. And India do seem to have a good chance. They are peaking at the right time, and a lot of things have fallen into place. Some of the most vital positions in batting and bowling appear to be in perfect shape.
Where they finished last time
Semi-final exit: Those two days in Manchester hurt. It was a rain-interrupted semi-final spread over July 9 and 10. The target of 240 did not look imposing, but a top-order disaster against some classy new-ball bowling by New Zealand dashed the chase. It was 5 for 3 in no time, with the most productive of batters gone. They ended up 18 short after a direct hit from Martin Guptill in the 49th over caught Mahendra Singh Dhoni short of his crease by the thinnest of margins.
Strengths and weaknesses
Experience: Several key players from 2019 are in the squad. That is India’s biggest strength. They know how much it hurt four years ago and have a better understanding of the situation now. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami — there are eight of them wiser for that experience. In Ravichandran Ashwin and Kohli, they have guys who know what it takes to win a World Cup.
Potentially lethal bowling: Diversity in bowling is a factor that can potentially separate India from the other teams. This variety, experience, guile and killer instinct is unusual to find in one bowling unit. Bumrah has shown he is close to getting back to his nastiest best and Mohammed Siraj is breathing fire. Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav are at the top of their game. Add Pandya and Jadeja, and this is as complete a bunch as can be.
Rich in batting: The batting unit is also wearing a well-rounded look. Rohit is in silken touch and Kohli looks keen to give his best as a batter and fielder. There is Shubman Gill firing and everybody else, like Shreyas Iyer, Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, is heading into the tournament with runs under their belts. On these pitches, with Padnya and Jadeja also more than capable, this team is capable of posting monumental totals. They can win batting first or second.
A long tail perhaps: The most evident weakness is a slightly long tail. In the No. 8 slot, will it be Shardul Thakur or Ashwin? Shardul is at times perceived to be a better batter in this format and a better fielder than Ashwin. But, with due respect to his strike-rate, Thakur is not your best wicket-taking option. He will add muscle with the willow. At the same time, if the other bowlers have bad days, would he be able to shoulder the load?
Star turn
Since this involves the word ‘turn’, let’s give it to Ashwin. This has to be one of the most dramatic entries into a World Cup squad for a player who had essentially been ruled surplus to requirements in this format. Where was he in India’s scheme of things a few weeks ago, when all sorts of other arrangements were being made? Then, at the last moment, it was discovered that he remains relevant. So, the star-turn tag goes to the man who has made this return possible.
New kid on the block
He is the youngest of this lot. And, according to many, the brightest of the upcoming generation. Gill has taken this format by storm. He has a sensational average of 66.10, which gets better when he plays in India. In these conditions, he could be the player who defines the game. In pristine form and oozing confidence, the 24-year-old is the new kid India is looking up to.
Where they should finish
Semi-final is the minimum they should aim for. Once there, any team could win it. That is alright. That is the nature of sport. But India will be expected to better that this time. In the last two editions, their impressive run and a lot of enterprise ended at the last-four stage. On both occasions, they lost to the home side and the eventual champions. They were consistent in 2015 and 2019, but faltered when that crucial knockout match came. That is what they will look to correct in 2023. If they do that, the sky is the limit.
Match schedule
Oct 8: Versus Australia, Chennai
Oct 11: Versus Afghanistan, Delhi
Oct 14: Versus Pakistan, Ahmedabad
Oct 19: Versus Bangladesh, Pune
Oct 22: Versus New Zealand, Dharamsala
Oct 29: Versus England, Lucknow
Nov 2: Versus Sri Lanka, Mumbai
Nov 5: Versus South Africa, Kolkata
Nov 12: Versus Netherlands, Bengaluru
Full squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav.
Likely first-choice XI
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.