The upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup, in 2023 is scheduled to take place in India from October 5th to November 19th. As a precursor to the tournament the participating teams are currently engaged in up matches. The opening game will be played between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad reuniting the finalists from the 2019 edition.
India had the honor of hosting its ODI World Cup in 1987, where they shared hosting duties with Pakistan. In the 1996 edition Sri Lanka joined Pakistan as co-hosts. India played a significant role as well. The recent instance of India hosting an ODI World Cup was in 2011 when they triumphantly clinched the trophy on home soil. That edition was co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The upcoming 2023 World Cup will mark a milestone for India as it will be their responsibility to host this prestigious tournament. Interestingly some players who were part of India’s campaign in 2011 will also be participating in this year’s competition.
They, who? Let’s look at it.
1. Virat Kohli, India
Virat Kohli, an cricketer was a member of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 2011 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Throughout the tournament Kohli played nine matches. Scored a total of 282 runs, with an average of 35.25 and a strike rate of 82.21. He achieved this feat with the help of one century and one half century innings.
In Mirpur, the right-handed hitter defeated Bangladesh by hitting 100* on 83 balls. He made 59 from 76 balls in Chennai’s match against the West Indies.
In the match against Sri Lanka, Kohli added a crucial 35 after India had lost Virender Sehwag (0), and Sachin Tendulkar (18), while still needing 275 runs.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin, India
Experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was not named to India’s inaugural World Cup 2023 roster. In the 15-man team, he took Axar Patel’s position, though, after the all-rounder was unable to recuperate from a left quadriceps injury he sustained during the Asia Cup.
Thus, Ashwin became the second member of the current Indian World Cup team who also played on the successful 2011 squad. In just two World Cup games, the off-spinner claimed four wickets at an average of 23.25 and an economy rate of 4.65.
He recorded 2/41 against West Indies in the group match played in Chennai and 2/52 against Australia in the quarterfinal played in Mohali. Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson were his victims.
3. Steve Smith, Australia
At the 2011 World Cup in India, Australia’s run machine Steve Smith participated in six games. His greatest performance came against Pakistan in Colombo, when he batted in three innings and scored 53 runs. He batted in the other two matches, scoring 11 against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad and 17* against Kenya in Bengaluru.
The statistics may seem discouraging. They can be misleading. Smith hadn’t yet made a name for himself as a batsman, for the team during that period. He primarily batted at the position. Was considered more of a leg spinner with potential, in batting. Needless to say much has changed since then.
4. Kane Williamson, New Zealand
When the 2011 World Cup was played, current New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, like Kohli and Smith, was trying to prove his credentials at the international level. He participated in four matches, scoring 99 runs, and being undefeated twice.
Williamson, who batted at No. 6, defeated Canada in a group game in Mumbai by scoring 34* off 27 balls. He recorded his biggest score in the competition against South Africa in the quarterfinal at Mirpur, scoring 38* off 41 balls, after getting dismissed for 5 against Sri Lanka.
Williamson was dismissed for 22 in the Kiwis’ five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the semifinal match in Colombo.
5. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan, the current captain of Bangladesh, participated in six World Cup games. The talented all-rounder took eight wickets with his left-arm spin, averaging 27.87, and scored 142 runs with the bat at a strike rate of 23.66.
In the tournament, Shakib’s finest batting performance came against India in Mirpur, when he amassed 55 runs off 50 balls. He made 32 for the victory over England in Chattogram and 30 for the victory over South Africa at Mirpur.
He took two wickets in bowling against Ireland, England, and South Africa, respectively.
6. Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh
Mushfiqur Rahim, a seasoned keeper-batter from Bangladesh, participated in the 2011 World Cup as well. He participated in six games, scoring 81 runs with an average of 16.20. In Mirpur, the right-handed hitter beat India with 25 out of 30 runs.
His 36 off 66 balls against Ireland in Mirpur was his greatest World Cup 2011 performance. After that, Mushfiqur struggled, scoring 0 against the West Indies, 6, 11* against the Netherlands, and 3 against South Africa.
Mushfiqur made four stumpings and collected three catches behind the wickets.
7. Mahmudullah, Bangladesh
Mahmudullah, a prominent cricketer from Bangladesh, also participated in the team’s World Cup run in 2011. He participated in four games of the edition, taking three wickets with his off-spin and scoring 32 runs at an average of 16.
Mahmudullah was defeated by India at Mirpur and was outscored 6 to 0. at the well-known victory against England at Chattogram, he contributed with 21* off 42 balls and was dismissed for 5 against South Africa. In the contest against the Netherlands, he did not bat.
