These 15 players will make India the world champion - prepare for the celebration!

ODI World Cup 2023: October 8, 2023. The date when the Indian cricket team will start its campaign to become the world champion again after 12 years. The Indian team will play its first match in the ODI World Cup against five-time champions Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The question is that who are those players who can end India's wait for the title, who can make India the world champion.

On Tuesday, June 27, the entire schedule of the ODI World Cup was announced. In this tournament of about 7 weeks (46 days), each team will play 9 matches in the league stage, after which the picture of semi-finals and finals and the fate of the winner will be clear. The wait for the schedule is over but now the discussion is on about the team. Who will get a place, who will be out?

Waiting for three players

Like every World Cup, this time also only a squad of 15 players can be selected for the tournament. The Indian team has been playing without many of its players for the past few months due to fitness issues. Jaspreet Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the most important in this. It is still difficult for Pant to play in these too, but if the other three can be fit, then India's strength is sure to increase.

Suryakumar or Shreyas Iyer?

Talking about the batting of the Indian team, the first three places in the top order are clear – Captain Rohit Sharma, the opening pair of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli at number three. Middle order is a matter of thinking the most. If Shreyas Iyer stays fit and gets match practice before the start of the tournament, then his place at number four will be fixed.

Suryakumar Yadav's place will remain the biggest question and if he proves himself in this format in the number of opportunities he will get before the World Cup, then his place in the squad will be confirmed. In case of good form, he can also replace Iyer.

Who will be the wicketkeeper?

The wicketkeeper issue is a bit troubling for India. Pant will be missed here. As his alternative, Ishan Kishan looks like a natural choice and he can make a place in the squad but he can get competition from Sanju Samson. The main reason for this is Samson's ability as a middle order or finisher puts him ahead of Ishan.

Despite this, KL Rahul will be the first choice as wicketkeeper-batsman. A big reason for this is also his responsibility of backup opener. Also, his performance in the middle order has also been good.

Slot fix for all-rounders and bowlers

Team India has good options for all-rounders. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will not only be in the squad but will also be a part of the playing XI. The question here is whether spin-all-rounder Akshar Patel will get a place as a backup or pacer-all-rounder Shardul Thakur. The upper hand of Akshar looks heavy in this case.

India has strong options in bowling but the most important thing is the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah. If he is fit, then apart from Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj will be available with Team India. Can be landed with 3 pacers or two pacers as per requirement. As far as the spinners are concerned, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are sure to be in the squad, but hardly both get together in the playing XI.

Possible squad for the World Cup

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.