3 Captains to look out for in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Published on: Sep 25, 2023

Captains are always the key players in a successful Cricket World Cup campaign. Be it Imran Khan winning it for Pakistan in 1992, with his confidence and the belief in youngsters, Arjuna Ranatunga leading from the front in 1996 World Cup, Ricky Ponting showing the way in 2003 World Cup or MS Dhoni playing a decisive knock in the Final of the 2011 World Cup

Captains have always played a pivotal role in terms of player rotation, tactical changes and planning during the ongoing match. If the captain's shoulders dip down, the whole team stops believing and hence, a good captain can win matches from any bad situation. Before looking at our picks check out cricket world cup satta for best winning odds on team selections.

Here are 3 captains to look out for in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

1. Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)

Last 5 match performance - L W L W W

Shanaka has played a big role in filtering players for big matches. The rise of players like Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana have taken place under his leadership. Dasun Shanaka has always shown enough faith in his youngsters, who have in turn produced great results for Sri Lanka in the recent past.

Although Shanaka himself isn't in great form with the bat, he is just one big innings away from regaining his lost mojo.

Dasun used some brilliant tactics as a captain in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Without the services of Wanindu Hasaranga, he carefully used the options available and encouraged them to overpower the opposition. On the back of his cricketing brain, Sri Lanka went on to defeat Bangladesh and Pakistan in the Super 4's to earn a ticket to the Final.

Sri Lanka are in red hot form in ODI cricket and a lot of credit goes to its skipper Shanaka. He is certainly one of the captains to look out for in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.

2. Scott Edwards (Netherlands)

Last 5 match performance- L W W L W

Scott Edwards is the torch bearer of the fearless brand of cricket played by the Dutch side. Netherlands played brilliantly in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers to earn a spot in the mega event. They were defeated only by Sri Lanka in the tournament.

Scott Edwards leads his team from the front. He carries an impressive average of 40.40 in ODI cricket and an exhilarating strike rate of 92.73. Edwards comes down in the lower middle order and takes his team to stronger position more often than not.

Apart from his own brilliance with the bat, he has been an avid advocate of grooming players like Teja Nidamanuru, Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek. All of the mentioned cricketers have given match winning performances for the Dutch team in the recent past, thanks to the backing of their skipper.

Under the leadership of Scott Edwards, Netherlands does not give up until the last ball of the match is played. All of the players give in their passionate best and try to put on a show helping the team's cause. The environment in the dressing room is quite positive and Netherlands will be a force to reckon with in the upcoming World Cup. Scott Edwards is one of the captains to look out for in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

3. Temba Bavuma (South Africa)

Last 5 match performance- W W W L L

Temba Bavuma has proved his captaincy mettle by defeating a mighty Australian side in a 5 match ODI series by 3-2. He was instrumental in picking out the best playing XI, including the comeback of Keshav Maharaj, who picked up wickets for fun.

Temba Bavuma has silenced his critics by performing both with the bat and as a skipper. Bavuma is also known for his exceptional fielding skills. He doesn't let the ball through his fielding zone and sets an example for the other team mates on the field. When a captain dives and saves 20+ runs for his team, the whole team start believing in their effort.

Bavuma was criticized initially for his mild strike rates in white ball cricket but he has certainly improved. Now, he often takes the role of an aggressor while opening the batting with Quinton de Kock.

If there is any cricket captain in the current era, who is self-less in his approach and supremely disciplined, it's Temba Bavuma. He is definitely one of the captains to look out for in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.