Kolkata: India lost the semifinals of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup after they lost to New Zealand by just 18 runs. The whole nation is still in shock with the result but if we discuss about the longer prospect of Indian cricket one can definitely say the future of Indian cricket is safe with a few young and talented cricketers are knocking the door of the Indian ODI team. India is set to host the next World Cup in 2023 and with the home advantage on their side one can definitely say the Men in Blue will be the clear favourites to win the Cup.
Though there is still a lot of time left but www.xtratime.in predicts the top twenty contenders who can make it to the 15 men squad of the World Cup.
Top Order Contenders
1) Rohit Sharma: Though Rohit will be 36 years of age that time but we all know that how he played in the ongoing World Cup. With five centuries he is the leading run scorer in the tournament and if he remains fit then it will be an automatic choice.
2) Prithvi Shaw: He is been considered as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Prithvi made his Test debut earlier this year against West Indies at home and scored a magnificent ton on that game. Though he is a bit inconsistent but with Shikhar Dhawan getting aged he is the perfect choice for India as the second opener beside Rohit.
3) KL Rahul: Rahul made his World Cup debut in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. Beside hitting a few half centuries he hit a ton as well against Sri Lanka. Like Prithvi he also is a bit inconsistent as mostly after getting a start he failed to make it big in the World Cup but with age on his side Rahul has all the abilities to become India’s third opener.
4) Virat Kohli: The India skipper is in the form of his life. He is currently India’s best batsman in all three formats. Though there is some question marks on his captaincy ability but he will the automatic choice in the team when the World Cup will be played in India during 2023.
Middle Order Contenders
5) Shreyas Iyer: The number for has been the headache for the team in last three years time as the management experimented a lot of cricketers for this spot. After the semifinal Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri too talked about how they lacked a good middle order batsman in the middle. Shreyas Iyer has all the potentials to become a very good No.4 batsman for the World Cup. He has shown his ability to score big runs during IPL for Delhi Capitals.
6) Mayank Agarwal: Mayank made a sensational debut in Australia last year during the test series. In the domestic cricket as well he is known as a cool cricketer. He also went to England after Vijay Shankar got injured in the World Cup. Mayank has all the abilities to be in India’s World Cup team four years later.
7) Shubman Gill: The cricket pundits are saying this young fellow has all the abilities to become a great cricketer. He has all the shots in his books. Everyone has seen in domestic cricket and IPL as well he batted calmly for the side which makes him different for others and Team India will need a cricketer like him in the middle order in World Cup.
Wicketkeeper contenders:
8) Rishabh Pant: YoungRishabh Pant has been regarded as world’s one of the most talented wicketkeeper batsman of current time. He has a verity of big shots in his armory which we have seen in this World Cup after he got a call up in the Indian team in place of injured Shikhar Dhawan. Despite of a bit inconsistency he has all the abilities to do well for India in the World Cup in the absence of legendary MS Dhoni who most likely won’t be there behind the wicket as he will already be 41 years of age that time.
9) Ishan Kishan: The 20 years old young fellow is a cricketer from Jharkhand and plays IPL for Mumbai Indians. Just like Pant he is well known as a clean hitter of the ball. With a bit more experience in his kitty he has the ability to become the second wicketkeeper batsman of the team.
All-rounder contenders:
10) Hardik Pandya: He will be the go to all-rounder in the side in next World Cup. In this World Cp he bowled brilliantly and batted well in a few matches as well. With a great hitting ability and bowling variation he would definitely be in the squad four years later.
11) Krunal Pandya: He can be a good option at no.6 with the bat for India and beside that he is handy with the ball as well. If he remains fit for the time being we can see both the Pandya brothers together in next World Cup.
12) Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja is well known as his brilliant fielding ability. Beside that he has the nack of giving wicket on crucial time. And who can forget his bowling in the crucial semifinal match against New Zealand a couple of days back. Though India failed to reach the final but his knock will be remembered for a long time. Four years later Jaddu will be 34 but he remains fit like now then he would be an automatic choice in the sub continent.
Pace bowling contenders:
13) Kamlesh Nagarkoti: Kamlesh hogged limelight during India’s U19 World Cup campaign last year. The 19-year old kid has the ability to bowl with 150Kmh+ pace which is rare, beside that he can also bowl with good line with that pace. As Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Mohammed Shami is getting aged he will surely be in contention to play for India in next World Cup if he can maintain his fitness as he has the nack of getting injured.
14) Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The swing master of Indian cricket has bowled really well in the ongoing World Cup. He is a master of death over bowling as well. Whenever Kohli needs wicket in death overs he calls Bhuvi and he delivers as well. Bhuvi will be 33 after four years and if he can maintain his fitness then he will be a big contender to be in the team for World Cup.
15) Mohammed Shami: Same goes for Shami if he remains fit at the age of 33 after four years he would be the key factor for India’s pace bowling. The only hat trick holder for India in this World Cup had made a comeback a year ago and has been a revelation for the side as Kohli, Shastri & others has lauded him for his remarkable comeback.
16) Jasprit Bumrah: He is currently the World No.1 ODI bowler and considered as the king of yorkers. His bowling at the death overs has always been a plus point for the Men in Blue. If he didn’t get injured for any reason he will be an automatic choice in the team.
Spin bowling contenders:
17) Yuzvendra Chahal: Chahal has always been in India skipper Virat Kohli’s good books. The ace leg spinner had a mixed World Cup this year. He took a few wickets in crucial times but given a lot of runs against tough oppositions as well. But on sub continent he will definitely be a key factor in India’s World Cup team if he remains fit.
18) Kuldeep Yadav: The other ace spinner of the Indian team is left arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav. He will also be a key factor on Indian soil in next World Cup provided that he bowls well in these four years span as there are two young guns who are waiting to get a chance in the team.
19) Mayank Markande: Mayank came under spotlights when he played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018. After that he also made his international debut in a T20 match against Australia earlier this year. But after that he didn’t do well in the least season’s IPL but this young fellow has the ability to do well on Indian soil and he is a strong contender to be in the World Cup squad as well.
20) Rahul Chahar: Rahul plays for the Indian national Under 19 and Under 23 Team, as well as India A. He made his first-class debut for Rajasthan in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy on 5 November 2016. He was the leading wicket-taker for Rajasthan in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, and beside that he bowled brilliantly for Mumbai Indians to help the side winning the Indian Premier League last season. The selectors too are happy with his performance and with a little more experience he can be lethal on Indian soil in the World Cup.