3 Players Team India must start grooming for the 2023 World Cup at home

7 players who represented the Indian Cricket Team in the recently concluded World Cup had made their debut for the country after the Indian team was knocked out in the semifinals of the 2015 World Cup held in Australia. Although the Indian team was in good form throughout this World Cup, the lack of experience in pressure situations was visible in the semis against New Zealand. The team also struggled for the sixth bowler on many occasions during the tournament and if the team can succeed to forge an all-round squad within the next 4 years, India can well lift the trophy in 2023.

The increase in the standards of Ranji cricket and the rise of IPL has ensured that talented players keep coming up every year in India. Although talented and consistent players must be given chances at the highest level, the management should also decide on a team combination that can guarantee success on big occasions. Very few multi-functional and versatile players are making it to the Indian team and at times, this affects the balance of the team.

On that note, here are 3 players Team India must start grooming to field a well-balanced squad for the World Cup at home in 2023.

#3 Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill needs to be groomed for the No.4 position in the Indian team

A lot of players struggled to cement the No.4 position in the squad leading up to the World Cup. In the end, the likes of KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar and Rishab Pant were used by the team in this spot at the World Cup and after the tournament too, it seems as though none of them have made this spot their own.

This brings back to the fray perhaps one of the best young talents in India. Shubman Gill has been waiting for a run of chances and if the management can start to do that now, Gill could well develop into a solid No.4 batsman by 2023.

As seen in the U19 World Cup, Gill is an efficient top-order batsman who has it in him to change his game according to the situation. In the middle-order too, Gill showed signs of a reliable batsman with his stint in IPL 2019.

The Punjab teenager is also a good option on overseas pitches and hence, he could just be the right man to lead India's middle-order in the future.

#2 Shreyas Gopal

Shreyas Gopal could be a handy player at No.7 or No.8

Shreyas Gopal was one of the few uncapped India cricketers who shone in IPL 2019. His right-arm leg-break ensured prized scalps during the course of the tournament and he also ended up as one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament.

Although Gopal's rise in popularity has been very recent, the 25-year-old has been a vital part of the Karnataka team in the Ranji Trophy for the past few seasons. He is the team's leading spinner and at times, he has pulled the team out of many precarious situations with the bat.

Shreyas' technique with the bat is highly regarded in Karnataka cricket circles while skills with the ball were on display a few months ago. The youngster also captained Karnataka in the previous Ranji Trophy and many noticed the leadership skills in him.

Shreyas can easily be a No.7 or a No.8 player for any team he plays. He can be relied upon as a batsman and can also be used as a floater. He is a conventional leg-spinner and could be of great use on home pitches in 2023.

#1 Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw must open the batting for India at the 2023 World Cup

Walking in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Mumbai's Prithvi Shaw is regarded as the next big thing in the game of cricket. The teenager has already made a mark on his debut in red-ball cricket with a century in his very first game. The skills, composure and the class that he oozes are a treat to watch on the pitch.

As seen from his performances in the U19 World Cup, Prithvi remains calm under pressure and this element could be of use to the India team. He is a talented player and if the management can stick with him for the next few years, he will be a prized asset for the team at the 2023 World Cup.

With legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli performing around him, it could just be the right time to introduce Prithvi Shaw to limited-overs cricket at the international level.