World Cup 2023: Top 5 Players to Watch Out for in their maiden ODI World Cup

International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced the 2023 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup schedule to be held in India. The announcement of fixtures has filled cricket fans with thrill and excitement. The tournament will be played from October 5 to November 19. Before the competition, some cricket pundits are considering hosts India, five-time champions Australia, and the defending champions England favourites to lift the coveted trophy.

After the 2019 World Cup, some players performed exceptionally and became illustrious names in ODIs with their diligence and calibre. In the upcoming event to be played in October-November, these players will most liekly make their ODI World Cup debuts, and they will look to back themselves to put up great shows and power their teams.

Here are the five World Cup debutants to watch out for

5. Mohammed Siraj (India)

Mohammed Siraj is one of the key bowlers in India’s pace attack. In January 2019, he made his ODI debut during India’s tour of Australia 2018-19. So far, the right-arm bowler has played 24 matches, in which he picked up 43 wickets at an economy of 4.78. 

This year, during Sri Lanka’s India visit for three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three ODIs, Siraj picked up 4/32 figures in the third One-Day and helped India to vanquish Sri Lanka by 317 runs. His bowling efforts played a vital role in India’s largest win over the island nation (by runs).

India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the World Cup is doubtful and if the veteran bowler doesn’t play in the upcoming tournament, Siraj’s responsibility will be to fill the shoes of Bumrah and support his senior colleague Mohammed Shami to reinforce India’s fast-bowling unit.