ODI World Cup 2023: SWOT analysis of India Cricket Team - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

After performing exceptionally well in the 2023 Asia Cup and the home series against Australia, India will now go to the World Cup 2023 with confidence. This time, India are the host of the World Cup, and Team India fans are expecting their side to lift the trophy again after 12 years. 

In 2011, India were one of the co-hosts and won the title under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. From the 2011 World Cup victorious team, Virat Kohli is the only player who is active in international cricket and will be seen in the upcoming marquee event to be played among 10 sides.

This time, Rohit Sharma is holding the responsibility of the team and under the veteran’s leadership, the Indian cricket team will look to do wonders in the tournament. The Men in Blue hold an excellent ODI record in their backyard and considering that, eyes will be set on their performance in the World Cup.

The two-time World Cup champions have an amazing squad that has a lot of experienced players and new talents that have the potential to rock the upcoming tournament. Prior to the 2023 World Cup, it’s crucial to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Rohit Sharma and Co.

Strengths

Balanced top-order

India have one of the most dangerous top orders in this World Cup. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have performed efficiently for the team in one-day cricket, this year. Rohit, who has more than 16 years of experience in ODIs, has scored 658 runs in 16 ODIs (2023) at a strike rate of 110.03

Shubman Gill averages a brilliant 72.35 with five tons this year. In January 2023, Gill broke into record books with his stunning knock of 208 runs from 149 balls against New Zealand in Hyderabad. With this unprecedented knock, he became the youngest batter in men’s cricket to score a double ton in the ODI format. 

In the 2023 Asia Cup, Gill showcased his batting mettle and ended up as the leading run-scorer in the competition with 302 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 93.49. Noting these sensational batting numbers and facts, expectations will be high from the young opener.

India will also get the support of their star player Virat Kohli as well in the top order. The batting maestro has gained his form back in the ODI format and his recent batting performance corroborates this fact. This year, he has scored 612 runs in 16 ODIs at a fabulous strike rate of 112.91. In the recently played Asia Cup 2023, he hit a ton against Pakistan in Colombo.

With the pair of aggressive openers, India can adopt the strategy of attacking the opponents from the word go and achieve success in the World Cup. In the 2023 Asia Cup game against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the attacking approach from the word go worked for India as both Rohit and Gill provided a scintillating start to the team, building a 121-run opening stand in 100 deliveries. 

On one side, Rohit and Gill have aggressive playing styles while Virat Kohli starts calmly but after settling down at the crease, he switches to the attack mode. In the recent Asia Cup match against Pakistan, it was witnessed how the shrewd Kohli believed in his defensive technique to utilize the fine start given by the openers and went on to play spectacular innings of 122 off 94. 

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

In-form spinners

India is known for its spin-friendly pitches and noting the factor, turners will be seen taking advantage of surfaces and wreaking havoc on batters. Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will be tempted to give their best in this World Cup as they will look forward to taking home advantage.

In the Asia Cup 2023, Kuldeep took nine wickets in five games at an economy of 3.61 and played an instrumental role in India’s victory. Jadeja also looked spectacular with the ball in the three-match ODI series against Australia, picking up four wickets in three games at an economy of 6.06.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

Decent pace attack

India will go with an incredible pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming World Cup. Bumrah is back in the ODI format after staying away from cricketing action for more than a year due to his lower back injury. In the Asia Cup 2023, he exuded confidence with the ball, delivering fine starts to the team. 

Mohammed Siraj also racked up 10 wickets in four innings of five matches at an economy of 4.63 and ended up as the second-leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2023. Against Sri Lanka in the final, Siraj bagged 6/21 figures and guided the team to a convincing 10-wicket win. Siraj has been active in ODI cricket since January 2019 and in his more than four years of one-day career, he has displayed his bowling excellence several times.

Mohammed Shami, who is the most experienced pacer in the line-up, has also done a great job recently. In the first ODI of the India versus Australia series in Mohali, the paceman took a five-wicket haul which became his best ODI performance against the Aussies. Like Siraj, Shami can also daunt batters with seam. The veteran pacer can also swing the ball both ways which makes him potent with both the new and the old ball.

Shardul Thakur is another name that can deliver effective performances to the team silently in the 2023 World Cup. Thakur uses variations and unpredictable seam as weapons to trap batters. The 31-year-old speedster has the ability to hunt scalps with swing as well. 

Weaknesses

Lack of left-handers

India don’t have a variety in the batting department as one can notice that the Men in Blue have only one regular left-handed batter in the side. Ishan Kishan, who is a top-order batter, is the only regular left-hander who could reinforce India’s batting. Ravindra Jadeja is a left-hander as well but can’t be expected to play the role of regular batter throughout the competition. The right-left combination often frustrates captains and bowlers as they are required to plan the field according to two different batters.     

Jadeja’s batting form

Ravindra Jadeja is a genuine 3D player for India and he has proven this fact a great many times in his 14-year ODI career. The 34-year-old veteran is an asset to the team due to his all-round skills. Currently, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad and as a senior player, his responsibility will be to bolster the team in all departments of the game.

In recent matches, Jadeja’s bowling and fielding performances have been satisfactory but his batting numbers aren’t up to the mark. Batting in the lower middle order, he has scored only 189 runs in 12 innings of 15 matches in 2023.

Opportunities

For the Indian team, the 2023 World Cup is the biggest opportunity to clinch the distinguished trophy after 12 years. The tournament will played in India so the players have the chance to take advantage of home conditions and display their mettle. The home crowd will also work as a confidence booster for the two-time title winners.

Threats  

Indian cricket team has performed brilliantly in the last few months in the one-day format but ahead of the 2023 World Cup, the three-match ODI series against Australia might have exhausted players. Prior to the World Cup, Indian players deserved rest after winning the high-pressure Asia Cup 2023.

India will be the favourites to win the title this time as they are hosting the ODI event. However, other sides also have players who are accustomed to the environment in the sub-continent nation. Players from Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa play the Indian Premier League (IPL) regularly which helps them to acclimatize to the conditions.

Australia, the five-time World Cup champions, have won two ODI series against the Men in Blue in India within five years. The Aussies hammered the Indian team in a three-match ODI series by 2-1 in March 2023. In the World Cup history, Australia and India have squared off with each other in 12 games, in which the Aussies have emerged victorious in eight while India got successful in only four. Team India will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Aussies on October 8, 2023, and noting Australia’s record against them in the World Cups, India will have to see them as a threat.

India need to beware of the England team as well. Recently, the English side looked pumped up with the return of Ben Stokes. In the four-match home series against New Zealand, England registered a 3-1 win. The defending champions have a lot of match-winners who could spoil India’s plan to win the trophy.