Team India was completely dominant for much the whole 2023 World Cup, but they were defeated in the final by Australia on Sunday, November 19.
Travis Head’s spectacular century, along with a disciplined bowling effort, guided Australia to a six-wicket victory over the previously unbeaten Men in Blue. The victory gave Australia a record-extending sixth World Cup championship.
India faces a return to planning stages, aiming for success in South Africa in 2027. Yet, multiple team members are currently over 30. By the time another prominent ICC tournament comes, they might not continue to play.
Here are three Indian players that may not appear in a future ODI World Cup match.
3. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav was named to India’s 2023 World Cup team after much controversy. The powerful batsman, who hadn’t done much in ODIs prior to the tournament, certainly had the confidence of the team management and was chosen over players like Sanju Samson.
Suryakumar, although a crucial knock against England, did not leave a lasting impact. He scored 106 runs in seven matches, with an average of 17.66 and a strike rate of 100.95. Over the course of those knocks, he only hit 12 fours and one six.
We’ll be truly taken aback if Suryakumar stays on the ODI roster post-World Cup. The trail run proved fallible and considering his maturity at 33, his involvement in the upcoming edition seems highly unlikely.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is another player who has divided opinion after being named to India’s World Cup squad for 2023. Axar Patel was supposed to be the backup spin-bowling all-rounder, but an injury forced the team management to incorporate the seasoned off-spinner.
Ashwin only appeared in the first game against Australia, taking one wicket and giving 34 runs. While there was talk that he would be named to the XI for a couple of the following matches, this did not happen. The seasoned veteran sat on the bench after Hardik Pandya’s injury eliminated the option of introducing an extra spinner.
Ashwin, who is 37, probably won’t participate in the 2027 World Cup. It’s probable he’ll also be left out of the ODI team, perhaps permanently this time.
1. Rohit Sharma
This is an awful thing to say, but Rohit Sharma’s storied ODI career may conclude without a World Cup trophy in his cabinet. The celebrated opener, who holds a slew of 50-over records, was left out of India’s 2011 success and has experienced a string of sad defeats since.
Rohit was one of the 2023 World Cup’s outstanding hitters, enthralling fans with his powerplay fireworks. He batted 597 times for an average of 54.27 runs per game and had a team-high strike rate of 125.94.
Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, who is closer to 37 than 36, isn’t growing any younger. Unless anything miraculous happens, he has most likely played his final World Cup game.
