As the countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 begins, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly awaiting the tournament scheduled to kick off in India on October 5. With India hosting the World Cup for the first time since their 2011 victory, expectations among fans are soaring.
However, amidst the excitement and optimism, legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble has drawn attention to a significant concern by highlighting a notable weakness in Team India’s ODI World Cup squad.
Anil Kumble’s Dissatisfaction with India’s ODI World Cup 2023 Squad
Team India recently unveiled a formidable squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup, earning praise from experts and fans alike. The squad boasts experienced players, top-class batters, skilled bowlers, and enthusiastic young talents. Nonetheless, Kumble believes that there is one vital aspect that hasn’t received adequate attention in the team chosen by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Anil Kumble’s Concern About the Lack of All-Rounders
In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Kumble emphasized the urgent need for more all-rounders in India’s ODI World Cup squad. He stressed that while having bowlers who can contribute with the bat is valuable, it’s equally crucial to have batters who can provide bowling options, thereby enhancing the team’s depth.
Kumble pointed out that India had a four-year period between World Cups to develop players with these essential all-round skills but failed to do so.
“One issue that perhaps required attention from the last World Cup to this one, especially in the ODI format, was the need for more all-rounders, which hasn’t been adequately addressed. You don’t just need bowlers who can bat a bit; you need batters who can provide bowling options, which significantly increases the team’s depth,” Kumble remarked.
“We had four years to develop these players. Clear instructions should have been given to identified players to work on these aspects. For instance, Yashasvi Jaiswal can bowl a bit of leg spin, but I’ve rarely seen him bowl in any match over the past year,” he added.
The Karnataka cricket stalwart concluded by stressing the importance of all-rounders in India’s batting lineup. He provided an example to support his argument, suggesting that in an ideal scenario, Ravindra Jadeja should bat at number eight, as opposed to his current position at number seven.
“Shreyas Iyer also offers some bowling options, but given his recent back issues, it remains uncertain whether he’ll contribute with the ball. Rohit Sharma used to bowl despite his shoulder problems, but it’s unlikely he will continue. So, who will fill that role? The team needs options higher up in the batting order. Ideally, for a stronger batting depth, Jadeja batting at number eight would be the best option, but currently, he’s at number seven,” the 52-year-old concluded.
