After Australia, India is the second-best World Cup
team. In addition to losing in the finals in 2003 and losing in the semifinals
in 1987, 1996, 2015, and 2019, they have only ever won it in 1983 and 2011.
India has entered every World Cup as one of the favourites, if not a major
challenger, ever since their early departure from the 2007 event.
In the mid- to long-term, India’s World Cup
preparations were fraught with worry. Five important players that India had
invested in—Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Prasidh
Krishna—were on the sidelines. But when the competition drew near, Bumrah,
Rahul, and Iyer not only made full recoveries, but also swift returns to form.
The improved left-arm wristspin of Kuldeep Yadav continues to set him apart.
India enters the competition in a strong position
after winning both the bilateral series against Australia and the Asia Cup.
They are now clear favourites, especially as injuries are starting to plague
other clubs. They still have two weaknesses: their tail is long and their
batting is strong on the right hand, therefore it is necessary to play a weaker
bowler at No. 8 to give the top seven the flexibility they need.
12 of the players made their own decisions once they
were healthy and available. India chose Mohammed Shami over Prasidh to be their
backup fast bowler because they need a bowler who can also use the new ball in
their present lineup. Prasidh’s speciality is still giving the middle overs a
point of distinction. Despite the fact that Suryakumar Yadav’s List A record is
not as impressive as his T20 achievements, the selectors and team management
chose him as the extra batter based only on his promise.
The final slot of the spinner who could bat originally
went to Axar Patel because he also provided a left-hand batter who could be
promoted up the order to counter match-ups, but a late injury opened the door
for the return of R Ashwin.
India had the greatest desire to have Bumrah return to
the pitch out of all the injured players. They learned that Bumrah cannot be
replaced when he was lost the day before the T20 World Cup last year. He is
India’s greatest hope at the death, which can occasionally be their weakness,
and is capable of taking wickets in every stage of the game. They were encouraged
when Bumrah returned, showing no signs of ring rust and even appearing to have
added a late, more reliable outswinger to his arsenal.