The ICC World Cup 2023 is on the horizon, and it’s a historic moment as India hosts this prestigious event on its own for the first time. The Men in Blue must be looking to use this home advantage and break their decade-long trophy drought.
India’s last World Cup victory came in 2011, when MS Dhoni led the team to glory, and the left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan played a big role as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 21 wickets in nine matches.
Ever since Zaheer Khan bid farewell to international cricket, Team India has been on a wild goose chase for a left-arm pacer. They have scoured but failed to find anyone to match his calibre, especially in the 50-over format. This is a real headache as they head into this big event without a single left-arm pacer.
When questioned about the lack of a left-arm fast bowler in the India squad for the quadrennial event, Kapil Dev, the captain who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup, passionately defended the selectors and said everyone should respect their decision.
Here’s what Kapil Dev told Republic:
“Are you challenging the selectors’ Are you not happy with the Indian selectors’ I am nobody to talk against them. They are national selectors. They have picked a team, and we should respect that.”
Team India is gearing up for the World Cup 2023, and they are set to lock horns with Australia in a three-match ODI series from September 22 to 27, which will serve as a preparation for the marquee event. KL Rahul will lead the team in the first two ODIs before Rohit Sharma returns to the side in the third ODI.
