From Rishabh Pant To Naseem Shah: Injured Players Who Won't Play ODI World Cup 2023

As ODI World Cup 2023 tournament begins, let us have a look at list of star players who will miss out on playing the ICC event due to injury.

Rishabh Pant, Wanindu Hasaranga, Naseem Shah, Anrich Nortje, Tim Southee, and others missed out on World Cup selection due to fitness concerns. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

List of injured players in ODI World Cup 2023: The ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 officially started from Thursday (October 5) oonwards at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, featuring last edition's (ODI World Cup 2019) finalists, England and New Zealand, in ODI World Cup 2023 opening clash. In what came as a big relief for the Kiwis and defending champions England, their most important players in the ODIs, Kane Williamson (New Zealand) and Ben Stokes (England) have attained match-fitness and will feature in the marquee ICC tournament for their respective teams.

Unfortunately, some star players of white-ball cricket such as Rishabh Pant, Wanindu Hasaranga, Naseem Shah, Anrich Nortje, Tim Southee, and others missed out on World Cup selection due to fitness concerns.

As ODI World Cup 2023 tournament begins, let us have a look at list of star players who will miss out on playing the ICC event due to injury.

Naseem Shah (Pakistan): Just a few days ahead of the tournament, premier Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah, one of the most promising pace bowling talents in world cricket, sustained an injury during IND vs PAK Asia Cup Super 4 match and didn't succeed to recover in time for ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

Rishabh Pant (India): Rishabh Pant, team India's first-choice wicket-keeper across formats, was totally sidelined from cricketing action after his near-fatal car accident, last year. Pant is still on the road to recovery and aims to make his much-awaited comeback to competitive cricket when he regains full fitness.

Axar Patel (India): Team India's star left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel was initially named in India's 15-men ODI World Cup 2023 squad. Unfortunately, Axar sustained an injury during India's Asia Cup 2023 final Super 4 match against Bangladesh and since then he has been unable to recover in time. Ravichandran Ashwin has replaced him in India's ODI World Cup 2023 squad for the tournament.

Anrich Nortje (South Africa): The premier fast-bowler sustaining a lower back injury right before the World Cup came as a huge blow for South Africa ahead of ODI World Cup 2023, particularly given his bowling experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Lizard Williams was included in the squad as his replacement.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Wanindu Hasaranga's absence is a significant setback for the Sri Lankan team, especially considering his all-round abilities. Unfortunately, he had to miss the ODI World Cup due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the Lankan Premier League, and as a result, he did not participate in the Asia Cup 2023 for Sri Lanka.