In an exclusive interview with Mykhel , the former India Women’s captain named a bunch of players who she thinks are going to make a handsome impact for their respective teams in the ten-team event which starts from October 5 in Ahmedabad, India.
Anjum Chopra names ODI World Cup 2023 players to watch out for
The cricketer-turned-commentator discussed at length about the players to watch out for in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Talking about the Australian team, Anjum Chopra did not even think twice before naming Steve Smith and David Warner as the two players who will leave their mark in the tournament.
Kusal Mendis was her favourite pick from Sri Lanka. The former left-hand batter also picked Pakistan captain Babar Azam and England’s Harry Brook – considered a generational talent by many and who replaced opener Jason Roy to barge into England’s World Cup 2023 squad, in her list of players to watch out for in World Cup 2023.
“Steve Smith would want to make it count. So will David Warner. Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and even Charith Asalanka but Kusal Mendis would be their key player. Babar Azam is always there. Harry Brook is also coming into the England squad by replacing Jason Roy,” Anjum Chopra told Mykhel.
Anjum Chopra on Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill
Anjum Chopra reserved her best comments for the star India batting duo of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. She stated that the former India captain would be like a tiger in the home World Cup and could inspire Shubman Gill to also turn into one.
“Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill are surely going to be players to watch out for. Virat Kohli will be like a tiger. Shubman Gill will become another tiger watching Virat Kohli play like a tiger,” she said.
‘Hunger to perform in a World Cup is always there for players like Kohli, Rohit’
On being asked about her views on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who would most likely feature in their last ODI World Cup, Anjum Chopra became a bit nostalgic and said that playing in world cups is a different vibe and players look to put their best regardless of the number of times they have featured in the prestigious competition.
Naming Ravichandran Ashwin as an example, getting into a World Cup squad was in itself a big achievement even for the best in the business. “There is a different feel altogether to playing a World Cup. The logo and India are written on the jersey. The 50-over World Cup also comes after four years.
“Mohammed Siraj, Ishan Kishan, and Shubman Gill will be playing their first World Cup. Those who are playing their second World Cup would be looking to put up a better show than the first one,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added further.
“Those who are playing a couple of times, also get geared up for the big event. If we are thinking it’s their last, then they also must be thinking about it and looking to do well in their last World Cup. There is a special flick of a switch you get when you are playing a World Cup. Rohit Sharma has always done well in the World Cups.
“Not everyone can do that. There is Ashwin who is still not in the World Cup squad despite being number one spinner. Ask him how hard it is to get into a World Cup squad. First or last, the hunger to perform in the World Cup is always there,” she further explained.