Kris Srikkanth, who was part of the Indian team which won the 1983 World Cup, recently named his playing XI for the Indian team for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Expectations are very high from the Men in Blue, especially after their heartbreaking loss in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022.
India is yet to win an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy win and pressure to win another silverware is mounting in Rohit Sharma and co, especially as the 2023 World Cup is being held in India. The last time the ODI World Cup was held in India, MS Dhoni led the Men in Blue to the title win.
But this time, the Indian team is also struggling with serious injuries to multiple important players including the likes of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, keeper Rishabh Pant, and batter Shreyas Iyer. Pant has already been ruled out of the entire 2023 season as he recovers from injuries from his car accident.
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Bumrah underwent surgery to correct his back issues and Shreyas will undergo the surgical procedure as well for his back injury. It is expected that both the stars will miss the ICC World Test Championship final and are in doubt for the World Cup.
Amid speculations over the players' potential returns and possible additions to the squad, former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth was asked to name his best XI for the World Cup during his commentary stint on Star Sports for the IPL 2023.
Srikkanth immediately shared his possible playing XI and also made a rather savage remark towards his co-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.
“Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, number four I'll still pick Suryakumar Yadav. KL Rahul could be fifth, Hardik Pandya sixth. Ravindra Jadeja at 7, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj,” Srikkanth said on Star Sports during IPL 2023 commentary.
Manjrekar, who was commentating with him, added that Shardul Thakur might also be considered in the XI. But Srikkanth said to Manjrekar that he was only picking Shardul because he belonged to Mumbai.
However, Srikkanth replied: “Not Shardul. Arshdeep could be there. Shardul can take wickets, but he can also concede 12 runs in an over. You're from Mumbai, that's why you're naming Shardul!”
The remark from Srikkanth left both, Manjrekar and Yusuf Pathan – the other commentator – in splits.
“Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav; two of these spinners can play in the XI,” Srikkanth concluded.
