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Although history has taught cricket fans never to write off Australia at a World Cup, sceptics of their chances of winning the trophy for a sixth time in India in November have more than a little ammunition to call on.
Afghanistan will be looking to a spin quartet led by match-winner Rashid Khan to get results on the slow and turning wickets of India at the World Cup. Rashid is in huge demand for T20 teams around the world as he is the top-ranked bowler in that format and fifth in ODIs. But the Afghans have great spin depth beyond Rashid, with Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad also capable of turning their side to victory. The lack of a pace attack and inconsistent batting have let down Afghanistan in 50-over cricket, with the team winning just two of their nine games this year.
India captain Rohit Sharma is one of the finest batters in the cricket world. From playing mammoth knocks to playing one of the most sensible innings, there is hardly anything the star could not do while batting. However, even the best get to face challenges and some even trouble them to a great extent. Rohit, the batter, too has faced such a bowler who has challenged him a lot. The surprising fact is that it is not a bowler from Pakistan or Australia as many would assume, it is rather a former South African pacer - Dale Steyn.
When Sri Lanka clinched a shock 1996 World Cup triumph, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana were not even born, but the rising stars head to India determined to repeat the victory. Both aged 20, fast bowler Pathirana and all-rounder Wellalage are undeterred by facing childhood heroes at the tournament that opens on October 5. "We are looking forward to bringing the World Cup back to Sri Lanka," Pathirana told AFP.
Three cricketers, considered the backbone of Bangladesh's golden generation, are expected to make their swansong at the World Cup, after dragging their side up from whipping-boy status over 15 years. When Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad came onto the scene in the mid-2000s, Bangladesh were mostly embarrassing as a national side. But over the years they shed the pushover tag, especially in one-day internationals -- the format used in the World Cup starting in India next week.
An emphatic performance in the Asia Cup followed by a dominant show with the willow against Australia placed the Indian team in good headspace going into the World Cup but problems remain when it comes to zeroing in on the ideal playing XI. India begin their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
The Pakistan cricket team has truly enjoyed itself since landing in India for the ODI World Cup 2023. Since reaching Hyderabad, the Pakistan team has been full of praise for the hospitality their players have received in India. After their first warm-up fixture against New Zealand in Hyderabad, Babar Azam's men enjoyed a lavish dinner and also clicked a few selfies with the fans. The Pakistan Cricket Board's official Twitter (now X) account shared a video of the team's dinner, where the players could be seen having a gala time.
India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal continues to be sidelined from India's World Cup plans. Though Chahal has been one of India's finest performers in white-ball cricket over the last few years. In fact, since his debut in 2016, Chahal has the third-most wickets in ODI cricket for India. In terms of spinners, he is only behind Kuldeep Yadav in list. Yet, the spinner missed out on playing for India in three World Cups -- T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, as well as the 2023 ODI World Cup. Though Chahal was a part of the 2022 World Cup squad, he didn't get to play a single game. The situation now is such that the spinner is 'used to' the selectors' decision.