Team India’s exhilarating journey in the 2023 World Cup met a devastating conclusion as they faced a six-wicket defeat against Australia in the final showdown in Ahmedabad on November 19. Initially, powered by Rohit Sharma’s explosive batting in the first powerplay, India struggled later, managing a modest 240 runs in their allotted 50 overs. The bowling department mirrored this inconsistency, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami claiming three Aussie wickets in the initial seven overs.
However, that early success turned out to be India’s last moment of triumph in the tournament. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne forged a formidable 192-run partnership, sealing Australia’s victory. Head’s brilliant 137 off 120 deliveries, complemented by Labuschagne’s unbeaten 58, overshadowed India’s efforts.
Despite the heartbreak in the final, the 2011 champions showcased moments of brilliance throughout the tournament. They clinched 10 consecutive wins, remaining unbeaten until the grand finale. Yet, the quest for an ICC title since 2013 continued, leaving the players disheartened as they left the field.
Let’s delve into the individual player ratings for Team India’s performance in the 2023 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma: 9.5/10 Leading the charge as India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma showcased a dynamic batting display, attacking opposition bowlers vigorously during the initial overs. His stunning 131 against Afghanistan made him the leading centurion in World Cup history, notching seven centuries in total. Rohit also set a tournament record by hitting more than 50 sixes. With 597 runs at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94, he became the first batter to surpass 500 runs in consecutive ODI World Cups. His leadership was noteworthy, becoming the first Indian captain to win 10 matches in a single World Cup edition.
Shubman Gill: 7/10 Gill, Rohit Sharma’s opening partner, had a mixed performance. Hindered by illness in the initial games, Gill struggled initially but gradually found form, notably with an 80* against New Zealand in the semi-final. While his average of 44.25 and strike rate of 106.94 in the tournament were commendable, his failure to achieve a three-figure score was disappointing given his phenomenal form leading up to the World Cup.
Virat Kohli: 9.5/10 Virat Kohli’s 2023 World Cup campaign was a testament to his batting prowess. As the leading run-scorer with 765 runs at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31, he smashed three centuries and six half-centuries in 11 games. His 117 against New Zealand marked his 50th ODI century, a first for any cricketer during a World Cup. Despite the tournament’s conclusion leaving him in tears, Kohli’s exceptional performance was noteworthy.
Shreyas Iyer: 8/10 Iyer had a tale of two halves in the World Cup. Initially facing criticism, he responded emphatically with outstanding performances, including back-to-back centuries against the Netherlands and in the semi-final. With 530 runs at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 113.24, his turnaround after a slow start was commendable.
KL Rahul: 9/10 Rahul emerged as India’s unsung hero, making crucial contributions both with the bat and behind the stumps. Despite limited opportunities due to the top order’s dominance, his unbeaten 97 against Australia in the opening game and a rapid century against the Netherlands showcased his prowess. His 452 runs at an average of over 75, coupled with 16 catches behind the stumps, demonstrated his value to the team.
Suryakumar Yadav: 2/10 Yadav’s performance in the World Cup was disappointing. Despite high expectations, he struggled to make an impact, scoring minimally except for a few instances, notably a crucial 49 against England. His average of 17.66 in seven games raised questions about his ODI credentials.
Ravindra Jadeja: 8/10 Jadeja, India’s premier all-rounder, performed admirably with both bat and ball. His standout performance was the 5/33 against South Africa, but he consistently maintained tight bowling spells and picked up timely wickets. With 16 wickets and valuable runs at an average of 40, his all-round contribution was significant.
Mohammed Shami: 9.5/10 Shami emerged as India’s bowling star, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with an impressive 24 scalps in seven games. His impactful performances, especially his 7/57 against New Zealand in the semi-final, showcased his ability to turn matches single-handedly. Becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in World Cups with 55 wickets, Shami’s average of just over 10 and three five-wicket hauls marked him as the standout bowler of the tournament.
Kuldeep Yadav: 7.5/10 Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial role by providing breakthroughs in the middle overs, securing 15 wickets in 11 games. Despite not bagging multiple wickets in any single match, his consistent ability to take timely dismissals and maintain an economical economy rate was commendable.
Jasprit Bumrah: 9/10 As India’s main strike bowler, Bumrah maintained remarkable discipline and effectiveness throughout the tournament. Finishing as the fourth-leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps at an average of under 19 and an exceptional economy rate of 4.06, he was India’s standout bowler in the final as well.
Mohammed Siraj: 5/10 Siraj, expected to be a pivotal pacer, had an underwhelming tournament. Despite picking up 14 wickets in 11 matches, his impact remained limited and lacked consistency in crucial games, particularly in the semi-final and final.
Hardik Pandya: 6/10 Pandya’s World Cup campaign was curtailed by an unfortunate ankle injury during the Bangladesh match. He showcased his prowess with the ball, picking up five wickets in limited opportunities. His absence in the final might have affected India’s fortunes given his knack for breaking partnerships.
Ravichandran Ashwin: 6/10 Ashwin’s inclusion in the World Cup squad raised discussions, and although he featured in only one game against Australia, his economical spell of 1/34 helped restrict the opposition. There were debates about his potential impact in the final, especially against left-handed batsmen like Travis Head.
Shardul Thakur: 3/10 Thakur’s World Cup stint was lackluster, playing in only three of India’s 11 games and picking up two wickets at a high average. His replacement by Mohammed Shami worked favorably for the team.
Ishan Kishan: 5/10 Kishan, despite limited opportunities, showed promise with a brisk 47 in his second outing against Afghanistan. However, his playing time remained minimal, leaving questions about his utilization given his versatility in batting positions.
