The ODI World Cup – Where do we go from here?
The 13th edition of the ICC men’s ODI World Cup 2023 clanks nervously into gear this week in very different times, literally and metaphorically. Winter is not far away in India, still very much the sport’s most populous and richest region. Even as the game here continues to whir in conversational circles, relentlessly sucking in new audiences to its vortex, something at an inherent level seems to have shifted. This version of the World Cup, in many ways, is one of the last vestiges of international cricket as we know it. Kaushik Rangarajan and Bharat Sundaresan explain.
The Big Four insurance
That both Joe Root and Kane Williamson are highly valued within the team is of no doubt, and not just because of the legacy and name they’ve carved for themselves but because they perform the role of a cushion or a springboard now rather than the driving force. Just like the two, Virat Kohli also brings in the safety net of experience as well as nous particularly in the format where he once was a trailblazer. Steve Smith, on the other hand, has had to go on a different route to stake a place for himself in the team. As they enter what could be their final ODI World Cup, what will be the role of the Big Four of this batting generation? Ganesh Chandrasekaran explores.
Ecstasy, agony and all that, with Ian Smith
“This is the moment. It is (Jofra) Archer to (Martin) Guptill. Two to win! Guptill is going to push for two. They have got to go. The throw’s got to go to the keeper’s end! He’s got it; England have won the World Cup by the barest of margins; by the barest of all margins. Absolute ecstasy for England, agony for New Zealand…” If it was difficult to forget that Lord’s final, equally memorable are those words from Ian Smith. In a chat with Vijay Tagore, he recollects those spontaneous overflow of emotions and actions in tranquillity.
Build-up – The team previews
India out to shed the substantial weight of being the nearly-men: They are at home, have form and flair with the bat, and variety and options with the ball. But can India put it all together? By Kaushik Rangarajan
How will the legacy of England’s Golden Gen be defined? There’s no doubting that this generation of England’s cricketers have cemented their place as the greatest in their white-ball history. Can they now step it up? By Ganesh Chandrasekaran
Is this the World Cup for New Zealand? Runners-up in the last two editions, New Zealand are due and deserving but walk into yet another World Cup without the “favourites” tag. By Pratyush Sinha
Australia: predators playing possum, waiting to pounce – With five World Cup titles under their belt, and a culture of winning, it would be criminal to write Australia off, despite their recent form. By Bharat Sundaresan
South Africa’s history of heartbreak ripe for revision: Reaching the final would be good enough to still the ghostly swirl of history for a team who have won just one of their six World Cup knockout games. By Telford Vice
Babar’s Pakistan embark on promise to relive ’92 glory: The lack of experience in Indian conditions could cause some teething issues for Pakistan, who will be aiming to shed their ‘unpredictables’ tag. By Aayush Puthran
Unassuming Lankans look to punch above their weight: With a young squad and a star bowler missing, Sri Lanka have their task cut out but what they’ve shown in recent times is immense resolve. By Purnima Malhotra
A tough World Cup campaign looms for chaotic Bangladesh: Bettering their 2019 tally of 3 league wins should be on the agenda for Shakib Al Hasan’s side. By Prakash Govindasreenivasan
Afghanistan out to upset the apple cart as spin takes prominence: More than half of Afghanistan’s games are scheduled in conditions where spin plays a massive role. By Narbavi R
Netherlands determined to shed associates tag: Having earned the right to compete for the World Cup in an elite 10-team tournament, the Dutch look to take their game to the next level. By Gokul Gopal
Picture of the day – Setting the stage for the World Cup opener in Ahmedabad
