The 2023 World Cup kicks off today in Ahmedabad, where England will face New Zealand at the stunning Narendra Modi Stadium. Eight other teams, including hosts India, will also compete for the trophy. As the cricket saying goes, “Batters win you matches, bowlers win you tournaments.” Here are the top five bowlers who can make a difference in the 2023 World Cup, starting from Mohammed Siraj:
1. Mohammed Siraj, India
One of the fastest bowlers in the world with the highest improvement is Mohammed Siraj. The right-arm pacer isn’t the same ‘run machine’ he once was. With his improved pace and swing, Mohammed Siraj is now a deadly pacer who can challenge the hitters.
Last month, Mohammed Siraj destroyed the islanders in the Asia Cup 2023 Final matchup with Sri Lanka with a five-wicket haul during the powerplay. In just 14 One Day Internationals this year, Mohammed Siraj has taken 30 wickets. If Mohammed Siraj leads the bowling rankings at the 2023 World Cup, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
2. Mitchell Starc, Australia
In the previous two World Cups, Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s most effective bowler. Starc received the Player of the Tournament honor during the home World Cup in 2015 and added 27 wickets to his total for the 2019 World Cup.
The left-arm pacer is renowned for stepping up his performance when it matters. He recently recorded a hat-trick against the Netherlands in the warm-up game. This served as a timely reminder to supporters that he is a real candidate to finish as the tournament’s top wicket taker.
3. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan
In just 94 ODI games, Rashid Khan has taken 172 wickets for Afghanistan. The right-arm leg-spinner has experience playing for the Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), so he has a strong understanding of the conditions there.
In white-ball cricket, Khan’s spin has caused a lot of difficulty for the hitters. It would be incorrect to write off a champion player like him despite his recent underwhelming performance.
4. Trent Boult, New Zealand
Trent Boult understands how to perform at his best when it counts, much like Mitchell Starc. Even though the Kiwi speedster is no longer under contract with New Zealand, he has excelled in T20 competitions throughout the world, including the IPL.
Boult’s bowling prowess lies in his ability to generate swing and maintain accuracy. He showcased his skill in the previous World Cups, earning 22 wickets in 2015 and 17 wickets in 2019. If he maintains this form, he has a strong chance of finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
5. Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan
In the last two T20 World Cup events, Shaheen Afridi emerged as Pakistan’s key bowler, consistently delivering game-changing performances. Although he wasn’t initially a first-choice player in the 2019 World Cup, he proved his worth by making significant contributions with 16 wickets across five matches.
Looking back at Afridi’s performance in the previous T20 World Cups, it is clear that he thrives under pressure on the biggest stage. Pakistani fans are undoubtedly hoping that ‘The Eagle’ will dominate the wickets column in the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
