Kuldeep Yadav, the best spinner currently as we look at the final list of spinners for Team India from ODI World Cup 2003 to 2023.
It is no fact to hide, but Team India have been a spinners-dominant country when it comes to their bowling. Be it the legendary Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, or the all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, India have had some amazing spinners to represent them in the ODI format.
The ODI World Cup 2023 is just a few weeks away, and we already have the official squad for Team India for the tournament. While India have selected 3 spinners for this World Cup, how about we explore the final list of spinners for Team India to represent in the ODI World Cup from 2003 to 2023?
Team India Final List of Spinners in ODI World Cup (2003-2023)
ODI World Cup 2003
Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar & Virender Sehwag.
The legendary ODI World Cup 2003 where India finished as runner-up was played in South Africa. India had Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh as two leading spinners in the team. The team was also filled with four part-timers in the form of Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag.
ODI World Cup 2007
Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar & Virender Sehwag.
The humiliating 2007 ODI World Cup where India were knocked out in the Group stage itself was played in West Indies. Team India had almost the same set of spinners that played in 2003. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh led the spin bowling with good support from Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag.
ODI World Cup 2011
Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Sachin Tendulkar & Virender Sehwag.
The victorious 2011 campaign, which was played in India had the maximum number of spinners India ever had in any ODI World Cup in the 21st century. Team India had as many as 8 spinners in the squad, thus providing a great variety of spinners for different situations.
Team India had Harbhajan Singh as the leading spinner with good support from Yuvraj Singh in the first-choice playing 11. In terms of backups, India had two solid options in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin and Piyush Chawla. Whereas for part-time options, India had Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag.
ODI World Cup 2015
Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel & Suresh Raina
Coming to the 2015 ODI World Cup that was played in Australia, India had 4 spinning options. Given the conditions that favored pace bowling more, the MS Dhoni-led team had all spin all-rounders in the squad. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja led the spin department with good support from Axar Patel and Suresh Raina.
ODI World Cup 2019
Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja & Kedar Jadhav
Similar to the 2015 World Cup, the 2019 World Cup was played in face-friendly conditions in England. While Ashwin led the spin department in 2015, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav led the spin duties in 2019. In addition, Team India had Ravindra Jadeja and Kedar Jadhav as backups.
ODI World Cup 2023
Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja & Axar Patel
Finally, talking about the most recent World Cup, the ODI World Cup 2023, India are playing only 3 spinners on pitches that shall assist spinners the most. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are Team India’s best spinners, who shall play all the matches. In addition, Team India have Axar Patel when there is a need for a third spinner.
Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the final spinners list for Team India from ODI World Cup 2003 to 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cric8fanatic.com
ALSO READ: ODI World Cup 2023: Squad Comparison for India, England and Aus
