Batting will be in focus on the batting-friendly wickets during the ICC Cricket World Cup in India. Some key batsmen hold the fortune for their respective teams to do well in the batting department. Their success or failure will directly affect their team’s progress in the mega-event. Presenting the top 5 Batsmen to look out for this ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Presented by: Raghunath Nair

Date: 26/09/2023

Top 5 Batsmen to look for in the World Cup 2023

Shubman Gill – India  

2023 has been the year for India’s new Opener Shubman Gill. This year, Shubman Gill has been in red hot form in the One Day Internationals format. His appetite for big runs and his consistency have helped him cement the opening slot for Team India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

He has already scored centuries in all formats and has a double hundred in ODI cricket. He is just 23 years old and is poised to break many records in this format.

Shubman Gill scored his fifth ODI Century of the year in the recent Australian series. He is also poised to break Sachin Tendulkar’s 20-year record for the most runs in ODI in a calendar year.

Gill’s century in Indore against Australia made him the highest run-scorer in the first 35 ODI outings, surpassing former South African batsman Hashim Amla and current Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Shubman Gill in 2023 has scored the most runs. He has a 50+ average with Most hundreds, Most 50+ scores, Most fours, and Most sixes by an Indian.

He is India’s best batsman against spin and will be a key player for India at the top and in the middle overs.

Babar Azam – Pakistan  

Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir reckoned that Babar Azam has the potential to finish as the standout batter in the World Cup 2023.

Babar Azam is widely regarded as Pakistan’s best batsman and is currently occupying the no 1 spot in the ICC ODI ranking. He is the mainstay of the Pakistan’s batting lineup and his form will directly affect Pakistan’s fortunes in this World Cup.

He is extremely gifted and plays the spinners with ease which will make him one of the players to look out for in the mega event.

He has an incredible ODI record with 5202 runs from 103 matches with an average of 58.45 and a strike rate of 88.82. The Pakistan skipper has 18 hundred and 28 fifties.

Jonny Bairstow – England    

Jonny Bairstow will look to dominate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. He was out of action due to a broken leg but has now fully recovered. While his ODI form has dipped a little in the last year, his threat of giving England a quick start will be in the minds of every opposing team.

He will hope to carry his test form into the ODI format for the mega event.

Joe Root the England veteran opines that Bairstow may end up being one of the highest run scorers in this World Cup.

Bairstow boasts a remarkable ODI record, amassing over 3,600 runs at an average of 45.09, with a striking strike rate of 103.92. His ability to provide explosive starts for England could be vital for England to defend their title.

Steve Smith – Australia  

Steve Smith is the most important batsman in the Australian batting lineup. He holds the entire middle order and has done well in Indian subcontinental conditions. With the Australians playing in the low and slow tracks of Delhi, Lucknow, and Bangalore, the conditions will suit his style of play.

With his ability to play spin well, Smith will hold the key to occupy the crease from one end to help Australia play their aggressive mode of cricket.

Smith has been in sensational form since the last World Cup, scoring 1129 runs in 24 matches at an average of 59.42, with four centuries.

Heinrich Klaasen- South Africa

Heinrich Klaasen Holds the fort for South Africa in the middle order. He is extremely consistent and currently in rich form with a brilliant 174 in 83 balls against Australia recently.

With 1323 runs in 41 ODIs at an impressive average of 41.34, Klaasen brings stability and adaptability to the team’s batting lineup.

He will hold a key role to accelerate in the middle overs to set up the team total. His strike rate of 111.64 reflects his aggressive batting style. With three centuries and five half-centuries, Klaasen has the potential to be a match-winner in setting up a total or finish games for South Africa.