With just a few hours to go before the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the only place that’s probably not buzzing with cricketing excitement with the hope of seeing some extraordinary performances are planets in the solar system where human beings don’t prevail; for where it comes to the earth, the planet is completely hijacked by cricket.
Not that we are complaining a bit!
Having said that, which promising youngsters might, all set to debut for their respective sides might make this a tournament to remember and ultimately, a trophy to cherish for their winning team?
Shubman Gill (INDIA)
The 24-year-old Shubman Gill has made his way to India’s 15-man 2023 World Cup squad. He is having the time of his life as he has already scored over 1200 ODI runs this year, including five tons and five half-centuries. With his class and elegance, he will be opening the innings for the Indian team alongside the captain, Rohit Sharma.
With India being the hosts of the World Cup, the young Shubman is fortunate enough to be playing his maiden World Cup in his home country. He has been enjoying his purple patch, and the Indian cricket fans would want him to continue the way he has been playing this year.
Dunith Wellalage (SRI LANKA)
At just 20 years of age, Dunith Wellalage has made it to Sri Lanka’s squad for the World Cup. And why not? He possesses the all-round ability to perform with both bat and ball. He is a conventional left-arm spinner, who has a great time at the Asia Cup 2023.
Dunith rose to popularity when he rattled the Indian batting line-up picking up a fifer which included the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya. Not only did he pick up a fifer, but he also played a blistering knock of 42 and kept India under pressure. In the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, Wellalage will be a crucial asset for the Lankans in the World Cup.
Cameron Green (AUSTRALIA)
The Australians are blessed with some prominent all-rounders in their World Cup team and Cameron Green is a rising name in that list. There’s Mitch Marsh, there’s Glenn Maxwell but the moment you put Green’s name to the encore, you realise there’s a touch of newfound energy and zeal to the Australian line-up.
Probably, just the thing that Pat Cummins would want in the campaign.
Green, a 24-year-old has been successful in all three formats of the game. He is also familiar with the Indian conditions as he had an amazing time in the IPL 2023, scoring one hundred and a couple of half-centuries.
He will be playing the first ODI World Cup of his career and is the premium all-rounder for the Aussies. In 20 ODIs, he has scored over 350 runs and took 16 wickets so far.
Harry Brook (ENGLAND)
The youngster for whom Jason Roy was axed from the squad, Harry Brook, will be playing in his first ever ODI World Cup. The 24-year-old has caused a stir in international cricket with his blistering performances in Test cricket.
Although, he could not leave his mark in the first few ODIs, but with exceptional performances in other formats have given him a spot in England’s 15-man squad for the World Cup 2023. He will be the one to look for in the tournament as England have brought him in place of Jason Roy.
Marco Jansen (SOUTH AFRICA)
Marco is another youngster from South Africa, who will be representing South Africa at this fortress of a tournament. The 23-year-old has been in the scheme of things of the South African team in all the formats for a while now.
With 14 ODIs under his belt, he has been able to pick 18 wickets so far. He can be considered a bowling all-rounder as we have seen him hitting some long balls. He is almost 7 ft and gets an extra bounce because of his height. However, he will be an important player for the African team, since Nortje has been ruled out.
Rachin Ravindra (NEW ZEALAND)
Another 23-year-old, Rachin Ravindra will be donning the jersey of New Zealand for the first time in the World Cup. His parents were born in India, so technically he will be playing in his own country.
He is a left-arm orthodox bowler, who can bat as good as any batter. In the warmup game, he came to open the innings and smashed 97 against Pakistan. He can turn out to be a crucial one on the Indian track and with an edge of batting, he can be chosen ahead of Mitchell Santner.
Saud Shakeel (PAKISTAN)
Having made his debut in 2021, Saud Shakeel did not have a good time in the ODI format. But in the warm-up game, the 28-year-old has shown what he is capable of and why he has been chosen to represent Pakistan in the World Cup 2023.
He will be playing his first ever ODI World Cup and that too in India. He has been quite successful in the longest format and has scored over 850 runs in just eight games. He is yet to leave his mark in the ODIs, but with his capabilities, he will be the one to look for in this World Cup.
There are a few other youngsters as well, who will have the spotlight on themselves. To name a few, we have, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj, Tanveer Sangha, Kushal Mendis, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and others. With the future of cricket making their World Cup debut, the World Cup 2023 is going to be an exciting one for sure.
