All-Rounders play an important role in the game of cricket. They offer balance and this plays a crucial role for teams to devise their strategies. The upcoming ODI World Cup will happen in India. While the spin-bowling all-rounders will be in demand, the other variety of all-rounders will also look to do well. In this article, we have tried out forming an interesting XI comprising only the all-rounders who will play in the upcoming event. Needless to say, we have had to leave out many of them due to combination issues. On that note, here, we take a look at the current best balanced playing XI comprising only all-rounders who will play in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Note: The below playing XI has been picked based on current form and suitability for a balanced combination.
Openers: Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram
Mitchell Marsh will open the batting for this best balanced playing XI comprising only all-rounders who will play in the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the past, we had examples of many openers who could also roll their arm over. However, this is diminishing right now.
Nevertheless, we do have two players who are suitable to open the batting. In fact, both these players have also done it in the past. Hence, the openers for this XI would be Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram.
Middle-Order: Ben Stokes, Glenn Phillips (WK), Shakib Al Hasan, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja
At No.3, we have Ben Stokes, who recently made a return to the ODI format. He might bat lower down the order for England but we have him at No.3 here. Glenn Phillips is one of the very keepers who can also bowl some spin. Hence, he is a part of this team.
For the second half of this middle-order, we have the Asian trio of Shakib, Hardik and Ravindra Jadeja. While Shakib and Jadeja will form the core of the spin attack, Hardik will support the pacers. For their teams to find success in the 2023 ODI World Cup, these three players must be in good form.
Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Pat Cummins and Chris Woakes
Wanindu Hasaranga is also a part of this best balanced playing XI comprising only all-rounders who will play in the 2023 ODI World Cup. This group consists of all-rounders, who will be expected to do more with the ball than with the bat. In the pace department, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes join in from England while Australian skipper Pat Cummins is also a part of it. Cummins and Woakes hardly get to deal with the bat but they are no strangers for a task with the willow.
For the spot of another spinner, there was competition between the likes of Shadab Khan and Mitchell Santner. However, we have selected Wanindu Hasaranga. This is based on the Sri Lankan’s recent form with the ball. Also, he has been decent with the bat in recent months. Hence, he is a better fit for this XI, which requires the players in this category to do more with the ball in hand.
