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The 13th edition of the ODI World Cup 2023 has already begun in India on October 5, Thursday. Still, the host nation will be playing their first match of the quadrennial spectacle against Australia on October 8, Sunday. The highly anticipated opener for the Indian cricket team will happen at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in front of a rocking crowd.
Also read: Hardik Pandya gets hit on finger while batting in nets on October 5 - Reports
In the build-up to the India versus Australia encounter, the breaking news came out on October 6 that the star opener of Team India, Shubman Gill has encountered a bout of dengue. With that, the 23-year-old might not be fit and ready to take the field for the Indians in their first match of the ODI World Cup 2023.
The absence of Shubman Gill would mean that the Men in Blue will have to make a forced change in their playing XI. In this feature article, SportsTiger looks at India's playing XI against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 match if Shubman Gill isn’t picked in it due to dengue infection.
Openers - Rohit Sharma (c) & Ishan Kishan
Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, is one of the first picks in the playing XI for India against Australia in the first match of the ODI World Cup. The 36-year-old has been setting the stage alight with his attacking style in 50 overs cricket in recent times, taking the mantle of scoring quick runs in the powerplay, at the expense of batting for long periods.
On the other hand, if Shubman Gill becomes unavailable, then it’s highly likely that Ishan Kishan will find himself opening in one of the biggest ODI matches for the country in years alongside his captain. The 25-year-old has taken up the role of opening the batting for India in the 50 overs format in recent months with great effect, which could help him excel against Australia on October 8.
Middle Order - Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk)
Virat Kohli, the Indian batting superstar will take part in the fourth ODI World Cup of his international career, with an aim to win the coveted trophy twice. He has been one of the most consistent performers in the 50 overs format in the last year, which could bode well for India in the quadrennial tournament.
Shreyas Iyer made his return to the Indian cricket team after a long injury layoff, scoring a hundred in the recently concluded bilateral series against Australia, to raise his confidence before the ODI World Cup 2023 opener. KL Rahul, who has been in scintillating form with the bat in hand, is expected to control the second half of the Indian batting innings, apart from fulfilling the role of keeping.
All- Rounders - Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are a certainty in the playing XI for Team India for their first match of the ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia. Both these experienced all-rounders have brought great value to the Men in Blue with the bat, ball, and in the field in recent years.
Ravichandran Ashwin might seem like a surprise pick in the Indian playing XI with the availability of all the top bowlers for the opening match of the flagship tournament. But, his presence is likely at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, after the initial reports from the venue state that the pitch is expected to favour the spinners.
Bowlers - Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Kuldeep Yadav has been one of the top wicket-takers in ODI cricket after the previous edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup. That’s why, he is going to be the key bowler for India in the ongoing edition of the quadrennial event with his left arm wrist spin.
The two main fast bowlers of the Indian team in the recent months in ODI cricket, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to take the place in the playing XI. With the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian lineup likely, Mohammed Shami will have to miss out on competing for the Men in Blue against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 opener.
