ODI World Cup 2023: 7 Changes in India’s Squad from 2019 World Cup

The apex cricket governing body, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), on Tuesday, September 5, announced the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, which is slated to begin on October 5, in India. Notably, team India will begin their World Cup campaign on October 8, against Australia, in Chennai, and will then face Afghanistan, on October 11. Their most awaited match against Pakistan will be played in Ahmedabad, on October 14.

The squad sees many players making their first appearance in the upcoming marquee event. Interestingly, many of the players who were part of the Indian squad in the 2019 World Cup, weren’t in contention this time and were replaced by players who are currently in form or have done well in the last year or so.

Let's have a look at 7 Changes in India’s ODI World Cup 2023 Squad from World Cup 2019:

1. Shardul Thakur replaces Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar’s selection in the Indian 2019 World Cup squad was a huge issue as it meant that Ambati Rayudu, who had been groomed the whole previous year for the no.4 spot, was discarded. Fascinatingly enough, thereafter the then BCCI chief selector, MSK Prasad, made the now infamous '3D player' remark. Notably, Shankar played three matches scored 58 runs and picked 2 wickets in the 2019 edition of the World Cup.

Shankar had unfortunately ended up fracturing his toe during a practice session. As a result, Shankar was replaced in the middle of the tournament. On the other hand, this time the pace bowling all-rounder apart from Hardik Pandya in the team will be Shardul Thakur, who has a knack for picking wickets. On several occasions, we have witnessed that whenever the captain needs, despite going for some runs, Thakur gets the vital breakthroughs.

Hence, it will not be wrong to say that he is the workhorse of the Indian Cricket team. Besides, Shardul Thakur also provides that batting depth at the number 8 slot, which skipper Rohit Sharma recently talked about during his presser. It will be interesting to see if the Mumbai-based allrounder turns the 'Golden Arm' for team India yet again in the upcoming mega event