Top 5 players to watch out for in ODI World Cup 2023: As teams gear up to compete for the prestigious ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 trophy, it's time to turn our attention to the players who are anticipated to make a significant impact in the mega ICC tournament.
Virat Kohli: One of the greatest batters of all time, Virat Kohli has left an indelible mark on ODI World Cups, solidifying his status as one of the world's finest limited-overs batsmen. Over the course of his three World Cup appearances, Kohli has graced 26 matches and notched up two centuries, maintaining an impressive average of 46.81.
Babar Azam: Pakistan's all-format captain Babar Azam was his team's Pakistan's top run-scorer in 2019 World Cup edition, accumulating 474 runs in 8 matches at an impressive average of 67.71. Throughout the competition, Babar showcased his batting prowess by notching up a century and three half-centuries.
Mitchell Starc, the Australian premier fast bowler, has built an impressive ODI World Cup career, particularly in ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments. Starc played a pivotal role in Australia's triumph in the 2015 World Cup, securing 22 wickets in 8 matches. Even in the 2019 World Cup, he continued to be a key player for Australia. His experience and skill with the white ball makes him a player to watch out for in this year's World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan, the immensely talented all-rounder from Bangladesh, has been a prominent figure in multiple ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments. In the 2011 World Cup, which took place in the Indian subcontinent,Shakib truly made his mark. The all-rounder emerged as Bangladesh's leading run-scorer, amassing a total of 284 runs at an impressive average of 35.50 across 9 matches. Additionally, he also contributed significantly with the ball, taking 10 wickets in the competition. Shakib Al Hasan's consistent performances in ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments have underscored his value as a versatile all-rounder.
Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, a prominent figure in Afghanistan's cricketing lineup, represented his national team in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup held in England and Wales. Over the course of the tournament, Rashid claimed a total of 6 wickets in 9 matches, with an average of 69.33, demonstrating his spin bowling prowess on the global stage.