Former Indian chief selector Kris Srikkanth warned Team India against taking much time to decide the final 15 players for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be held in India later this year.
The 1983 World Cup winner suggested the Indian selectors to finalise their 15-member squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup after the conclusion of the upcoming bilateral ODI series against Australia at home in March. He said they can make minor changes after looking at their form in the IPL 2023.
However, the former chief selector voiced opposition to the idea of waiting till the Asia Cup 2023 to finalise the World Cup 2023, saying the selected Indian players must show their form before the big event, so it won’t be ideal to wait till the sub-continent 50-over tournament.
Srikkanth said on Star Sports show ‘Road to World Cup Glory’: “I think in my opinion, by the time the Australia series is over, plan, this is going to be my best team. If I was chairman of the selection committee, I would say, this is my 15, look at the form in the IPL, and then make some probably minor changes. I can’t wait till the Asia Cup and say 'Man, after this Asia Cup I will select the team', no way.”
The former cricketer continued, “As soon as the Australia series is over, we have to communicate that you guys are going to play the World Cup, come on, do well in the IPL, keep your form there, make sure your fitness is fantastic, keep going and that will be the team. That’s what I would do if I was the chairman of the selection committee.”
Gautam Gambhir, on the other hand, stated that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would play a significant role in the World Cup 2023 due to their ability to anchor the innings and play well against spin.
Gambhir said, “I feel people like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and all those guys who can anchor their innings, who probably can play spin really well will play a massive role the coming World Cup.”
(With Star Sports Inputs)
