ODI World Cup 2023: 7 Changes in India’s Squad from 2019 World Cup

5. Ishan Kishan replaces Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik was the backup wicketkeeper in the 2019 World Cup to MS Dhoni. However, he did get to play 3 matches as a pure batter, but couldn’t do much. Much was expected from him in the crucial semi-final against New Zealand, but his failure meant that the match became his final ODI for India. 

This time, India has the choice of choosing their wicketkeeper as Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul have been picked for the role. While Rahul is coming off a six-month layoff due to surgery, Kishan has been in blistering form in ODIs, scoring 4 half-centuries in four consecutive matches. Despite Sanju Samson being a potential keeper-batter, the team management has backed Rahul and Kishan ahead of him to do the job for the team.

While Rahul has not played for India so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, skipper Rohit Sharma and management have shown faith in the Bangalore-based batter. Team India believes that  Rahul brings that balance that a team needs in the middle order especially while playing a World Cup. Hence he is someone who can not only bat as an opener, but he can chip in well if the need to bat down the order arises. However, at this moment. Ishan Kishan has shown his mature gameplay in the high-octane clash against Pakistan. As a result, the team may back him as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter until Rahul gets fully fit ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup.

6. Shreyas Iyer replaces Rishabh Pant  

Unfortunately, Rishabh Pant, who could’ve been a game-changer for India in the World Cup at home, was not available as he is still recovering from injuries he sustained in a near-fatal car accident last year. Notably, Pant was flown into the Indian team in the 2019 World Cup as an injury replacement for Shikhar Dhawan and played four matches, scoring 116 runs with a best score of 48. Shreyas Iyer, who had missed the boat in 2019, has been named in the 2023 World Cup squad of the Indian team.

He too made his own comeback to the team after spending months out due to back surgery. Speaking of his most recent outing in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, Iyer did look in good touch against Pakistan, however failed to convert his 14-run knock into a big innings. Given his ability to hit big shots in crunch moments, the team management has backed him by giving him a World Cup slot.

Now it will be interesting to see how Shreyas Iyer fares in the remaining games to be played in the ongoing inter-continental championship. It is worth mentioning that while playing in a mock simulation game in Bangalore during his rehab phase, the batter went to score a brilliant 199. This removed any doubts regarding his fitness concerns ahead of flying with the team to take part in the Asia Cup. 

7. Shubman Gill replaces Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan, the king of the ICC (International Cricket Council) tournament, couldn’t do much in the 2019 edition of the World Cup. Despite scoring a blistering 117 against Australia, the batter could not continue ahead in the mega event. Dhawan had broken his thumb in the game against Australia. As a result, the southpaw had to return home for surgery.

Now aged 37, Shikhar Dhawan last played an ODI for India in December 2022 against Bangladesh. With the emergence of Shubman Gill at the top and Ishan Kishan as the left-handed opening option, the BCCI selectors moved on from Dhawan and since then have given a long run to the youngsters. Speaking of Shubman Gill's batting exploits in the 50-over format, the youngster has played 20 matches so far.

During these games, he amassed 1015 runs at a staggering average of 59.70. Moreover, he maintained an impressive strike rate of 101.39. Furthermore, in the last one year, Gill has scored three centuries and four half-centuries, respectively. Commendably, the Punjab-based batter went to smack a double ton as well.