The ODI World Cup - Where do we go from here?
This week, the 13th edition of the ICC men’s ODI World Cup 2023 begins in very distinct circumstances, both literally and figuratively. Winter will soon arrive in India, the most populous and prosperous region for the sport. Even as the game continues to spin in conversational circles, persistently luring new audiences into its vortex, something fundamental appears to have changed. In many respects, this iteration of the World Cup is one of the last remnants of international cricket as we know it. Bharat Sundaresan and Kaushik Rangarajan elucidate.
The Big Four insurance
Joe Root and Kane Williamson are highly valued members of the team, not only because of the legacy and reputation they’ve established, but also because they now serve as a support or a springboard rather than the propelling force. Virat Kohli, like the other two, provides a safety net of experience and shrewdness, particularly in the format where he was once a pioneer. Steve Smith, on the other hand, had to pursue a different path in order to earn a spot on the team. In what could be their concluding ODI World Cup, what role will the Big Four of this generation of batsmen play? Ganesh Chandrasekaran is inquisitive.
Ecstasy, agony and all that, with Ian Smith
“This is the moment. It is (Jofra) Archer to (Martin) Guptill. Two to win! Guptill is going to push for two. They have got to go. The throw’s got to go to the keeper’s end! He’s got it; England have won the World Cup by the barest of margins; by the barest of all margins. Absolute ecstasy for England, agony for New Zealand…” If it was difficult to dismiss that Lord’s final, those words from Ian Smith are equally memorable. During a conversation with Vijay Tagore, he calmly recalls these spontaneous outbursts of emotion and action.
Build-up - The team previews
India seeks to discard the significant burden of being the runners-up: they are at home, in good form with the bat, and possess diversity and options with the ball. But can India bring everything together? Written by Kaushik Rangarajan
How will the Golden Generation’s legacy be defined? This cohort of English cricketers has cemented their position as the greatest in the country’s white-ball annals. Can they now improve? Submitted by Ganesh Chandrasekaran
Is this New Zealand’s first World Cup? New Zealand, runners-up in the previous two World Cups, are due and merited but enter yet another tournament without the “favorites” label. Due to Prattush Sinha
Australia: predators lying in ambush, playing disguise – With five World Cup titles under their grasp, and a culture of success, it would be criminal to write Australia off, despite their recent form. Through Bharat Sundaresan
South Africa’s tragic past is primed for revision. For a team that has won just one of its six World Cup knockout games, advancing to the final would be sufficient to quell the spectral whirl of history. Through Telford Vice
Babar’s Pakistan promises to recapture the grandeur of 1992: Pakistan’s dearth of expertise in Indian conditions could result in some growing pains as they attempt to shed their ‘unpredictables’ label. Written by Aayush Puthran
Unassuming Sri Lankans strive to outperform their station: With a youthful squad and a missing star bowler, Sri Lanka have their work cut out for them, but they have demonstrated tremendous resolve in recent games. Through Purnima Malhotra
A difficult World Cup campaign awaits Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan’s squad should aim to improve upon its current three league victories in 2019. Through the efforts of Prakash Govindasreenivasan
Afghanistan is attempting to disrupt the apple cart as propaganda assumes primacy: More than half of Afghanistan’s contests are played under conditions favorable to rotation. By R Narbavi
The Dutch, who have earned the right to compete in the World Cup’s premier 10-team tournament, are determined to advance their game. According to Gokul Gopal.
