The ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 was concluded this Sunday and Australia claimed their sixth title. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, the Aussies defeated the hosts India by six wickets in Ahmedabad. We decided to pick the best Team of ODI World Cup 2023.
There have been some iconic performances throughout the tournament and as always, experts gather and analyse the best performance to put up the Dream Squad. The Green Team’s jury picked the best 12-man squad with all the collection of players’ stats and their impact on their performances.
The 12-member squad includes four from the winning Australian side, three each from runners-up India and from South Africa, and one each from Pakistan and New Zealand.
Here’s the Dream Team of the 2023 World Cup by Green Team.
Team of ODI World Cup 2023 – Top Order
1. Rohit Sharma (IND)
11 Matches | 597 Runs | 54.27 Average | 125.94 Strike Rate | 3 Fifties | 1 Hundred | 131 High-score
The captain with his fantastic batting and leadership ability. Unfortunately, he was not made our dream squad captain. But he was one fabulous batter who gave India the perfect start they needed.
In fact, India have reached at least 60+ in nine innings. Apart from those three fifties, he had three wonderful 40s. He accumulated the powerplay so that the middle order could carry out their plans for the middle overs. It was a perfect strategy. He makes it as one of our two openers.
2. Quinton de Kock (SA | Wicket-Keeper)
10 Matches | 594 Runs | 59.40 Average | 107.02 Strike Rate | 4 Hundred | 174 High-score
We need to remember that this was Quinton de Kock’s last One Day International tournament as he decided to quit the format after the conclusion of South Africa’s campaign.
Personally, this was his best ODI World Cup ever. Before this, he averaged 20 in 2015 (with 1 Fifty) and 38 in 2019 (with 3 Fifties). He scored FOUR centuries, including a 174 against Bangladesh.
He’s also our wicket-keeper, bagged 20 dismissals (19 catches and a stumping).
3. Virat Kohli (IND)
11 Matches | 765 Runs | 95.62 Average | 90.31 Strike Rate | 6 Fifties | 3 Hundred | 117 High-score
There are no words to describe Virat Kohli’s phenomenal tournament. Named the “Player of the Tournament” by the ICC, Virat overtook Sachin Tendulkar as the most run-getter in a single edition of the competition. At the same time, he also overtook Sachin’s record for the most ODI hundreds.
In what could have been his last ODI World Championship, it was unfortunate that a great man like him could not be a part of a winning squad. But nevertheless, he was just incredible throughout.
4. Daryl Mitchell (NZ)
10 Matches | 552 Runs | 69.00 Average | 111.06 Strike Rate | 2 Fifties | 2 Hundred | 134 High-score
New Zealand once again crashed out in a knockout stage, but Daryl Mitchell personally had a competition to remember.
Mitchell and the newbie Rachin Ravindra were a perfect pair for their side. Both of them scored a massive 1130 runs together. But Micthell’s runs came at the middle-order which makes it more impressive for the left-hander. The combo of left and right in the top four makes it a more threatening XI.
Also Read: Babar Azam Captain Achievements for Pakistan throughout these four years
Team of ODI World Cup 2023 – Middle and Lower Order
5. Aiden Markram (SA)
10 Matches | 406 Runs | 45.11 Average | 110.92 Strike Rate | 1 Fifty | 3 Hundred | 106 High-score
He was South Africa’s third-highest run-scorer and played some crucial innings alongside Quinton when setting up big totals. He was phenomenal with his shift of gears, such as taking control of the chase against Pakistan before attacking them. He even scored the fastest World Cup century ever against Sri Lanka.
His ability to change gears at will was really hard to miss and he bowls some handy part-time spin bowling, where he had an economy of just around 4.5!
6. Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
9 Matches | 400 Runs | 66.66 Average | 150.37 Strike Rate | 201* High-score
6 Wickets | 55.00 Average | 4.81 Economy | 2-34 Best figures
The mega events always bring the best out of the Australians. And Glenn Maxwell was no different in familiar tournaments.
He played two monstrous knocks; a second-fastest WC century against the Netherlands and an unbelievably unbeaten double century against Afghanistan. That Afghanistan innings was surely the top innings of the tournament.
He bowled some handy overs too, going just about 4.8 runs per over while giving crucial breakthroughs.
7. Pat Cummins (AUS | Captain)
11 Matches | 128 Runs | 32.00 Average | 68.82 Strike Rate | 37 High-score
15 Wickets | 34.33 Average | 5.75 Economy | 3-51 Best figures
Imran Khan once said that fast bowlers make the best captains. There was no lie.
Our captain of the Dream Team and the mastermind behind Australia’s comeback in games. Patrick Cummins’ brave decisions have seen Australia make remarkable comebacks in the tournament.
Not only did he lead his side magnificently, but he also played a very important role with both bat and bowl. He provided timely breakthroughs when needed, and gave massive support to his batters with the bat.
8. Mohammad Shami (IND)
7 Matches | 24 Wickets | 10.70 Average | 5.26 Economy | 7-57 Best figures
If there was one contender that competed with Virat Kohli for the “Player of the tournament” award, it was Mohammad Shami.
How underrated is he? He was a make-away for Hardik Pandya, who got injured midway through the competition. The moment Shami grabbed his chance, he was simply unstoppable.
He took THREE five-wicket hauls, easily the most in a single tournament. This includes his 7-57 against New Zealand in the Semi-Final, the fifth-best figures in the history!
Also Read: Why so the hype of Haris Rauf not playing Test cricket?
Team of ODI World Cup 2023 – Tail Order and 12th Man
9. Shaheen Afridi (PAK)
9 Matches | 18 Wickets | 26.72 Average | 5.93 Economy | 5-54 Best figures
You can debate the inclusion of Shaheen Afridi with Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka, but we opted for a more experienced bowler for our lead bowler.
Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker of the competition, he wasn’t up to the mark with the new ball like he used to. But his death over games was simply brilliant. He was difficult to hit for the opposition.
His control in the middle and end is what makes him a better choice to be included in this Dream Squad.
10. Adam Zampa (AUS)
11 Matches | 23 Wickets | 22.39 Average | 5.36 Economy | 4-8 Best figures
23 wickets. That’s what Adam Zampa bagged. This is the joint most wickets by a spinner in a single ODI World Cup edition.
He took three four-wicket hauls in his brilliant run and bowled some lovely spells. Cummins used him in some part of the death overs too, and Zampa stunned the batters with his gritty bowling.
11. Gerald Coetzee (SA)
8 Matches | 20 Wickets | 19.80 Average | 6.23 Economy | 4-44 Best figures
He replaced Anrich Nortje after he was ruled out due to injury. But Gerald Coetzee’s first Men’s ICC event could not have been more memorable.
His aggression and passion while bowling for his country reminds many of Dale Steyn. His 20 wickets in a tournament was the most by a South African bowler in the single edition.
12th Man. Travis Head (AUS)
6 Matches | 329 runs | 54.83 Average | 127.51 Strike Rate | 1 Fifty | 2 Hundreds | 137 High-score
Australia carried a half-fir Travis Head for the WC and expected him to get better. Let’s be honest, not many were expecting him to recover and perform. Travis said otherwise.
He started off with a lovely hundred against New Zealand before his runs dried up. But an all-important and quick fifty in the Semi-Final and a big daddy hundred against host India in the final was enough to remind the world why he is one of the top batters out there.
Unfortunately, he made it this side as our 12th man given the start-studded lineup we have.
Happy with our Dream Team for the ODI World Cup 2023? What is your best 12 of the tournament? Comment below.
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