Shikhar Dhawan Reveals Dream ODI XI for World Cup, Includes Kohli, Rohit and Star Players

Shikhar Dhawan, the renowned India batter, has unveiled his dream ODI XI for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, including two of his fellow Indian teammates, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

In a conversation with ICC, Dhawan dubbed Virat Kohli, a veteran of three World Cups and a previous winner on home soil in 2011, as the world’s finest batter and an indispensable part of his dream ODI XI. “The first player I’d pick is Virat, of course. He’s the best batter in the world and consistently racks up runs,” Dhawan affirmed.

Recognized as one of the modern era’s top white-ball players, Dhawan himself has a penchant for delivering standout performances during World Cups, with three of his 17 ODI centuries achieved in the grand 50-over event.

Just like Dhawan, Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in the dream XI is a no-brainer. Having scored centuries in the last two World Cups, Rohit’s impressive track record in ICC tournaments makes him an automatic choice. “Rohit is an immensely experienced player. He has accumulated numerous runs in both ICC and bilateral competitions, and he’s proven himself on the big stage,” Dhawan explained.

Beyond his Indian compatriots, Dhawan also added Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, Afghan spin sensation Rashid Khan, and South African speedster Kagiso Rabada to his initial five selections.

With Starc’s 27 wickets leading the charts in the 2019 World Cup, Dhawan envisions his effectiveness continuing in the 2023 edition. As for Rashid Khan, Dhawan believes the mystery spinner’s unique action will flourish on subcontinental pitches. “I’ll go for Mitchell Starc because he’s one of the premier fast bowlers worldwide,” Dhawan emphasized. “For the fourth spot, I choose Rashid Khan for his enigmatic action. I’m confident he’ll have a substantial impact in India and claim numerous wickets,” Dhawan added.

While tempted to select Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, Dhawan opted for Kagiso Rabada to maintain variety in his bowling attack. “I wouldn’t choose Shaheen Afridi to avoid having two left-arm pacers. So, I’ll go with Rabada. His extra pace and bounce will unsettle the batsmen,” Dhawan concluded.