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- Published: October 5, 2023 14:28
New Delhi: The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 kicked off on Thursday, with the inaugural clash between defending champions England and New Zealand. India is set to begin its World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 (Sunday).
The Men in Blue are among the top favourites of tournament to lift the trophy. Also, they have the home advantage & support of local audience, however, the team is young, inexperienced and presumably lacks the expertise & experience of Tendulkar era to Dhoni era.
The 15 member squad of Team India has many cricketers who will be playing their first World Cup. They may be nervous but are brimming with energy & bustling with excitement to take on the rivals in the cricketing spectacle.
From big hitter Shubman Gill to Shardul Thakur to Mohammed Siraj, many shared their childhood dream of playing for the country and how they are restless & raring to go for the biggest cricketing event.
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First reactions of Team India’s WC debutants:
Shubman Gill
This is my first World Cup. I always harboured a childhood dream to play for the nation, to represent my country on the world stage. Today, that dream is coming true. Being able to achieve this dream still feels like a dream.
Mohammad Siraj
I don’t have words to describe this feeling, talking about being part of World Cup team gives me a high. I would be playing my first world cup and that too in India. It’s a feeling I can’t describe in words.
Surya Kumar Yadav
As a child, I always dreamt of playing for India. I am really excited & thrilled for the event. I am desperately looking forward to it.
Shardul Thakur
It’s an amazing feeling not just for me but also my family. I am proud to be part of this World Cup squad. I am speechless and don’t have words to describe.
Shreyas Iyer
I always saw cricketers sporting ICC World Cup logo on their sleeve, today, I am wearing it. It’s a surreal & unmatched feeling. I am delighted & feeling fantastic beyond words to be part of the World Cup squad.
Ishan Kishan
I always had a dream of playing for India. Watching players competing in the World Cup used to give us adrenalin rush. India’s victory in 2011 WC further uplifted our spirits and this further motivated me to play in the World Cup.
Who all feature in India’s World Cup 2023 Squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, R. Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav
