Nevertheless, numerous young players showcased their talents throughout the tournament. The 2023 edition of the 50-over mega event has witnessed the debut of several players in the premier One-Day cricket tournament. However, only a select few not only embraced the pressure of the World Cup but also left an indelible mark, showcasing exceptional temperament, talent, and timing to excel in the challenging 50-over format. These debutants have carved a niche for themselves on the global cricket stage.
Here are the standout debutants from each team in the ODI World Cup 2023:
1. Dilshan Madhushanka – Sri Lanka’s bowling revelation
Dilshan Madushanka (Image Source: Twitter)
In the CWC 2023, Dilshan Madushanka emerged as a revelation for Sri Lanka. Despite a history of injuries, the left-arm pacer showcased remarkable strength and determination. Spearheading the Lankan attack, Madushanka made the ball talk, picking up an impressive 21 wickets at an average of 25.00. His standout moment came in Mumbai, where he claimed his maiden fifer against India.
2. Rachin Ravindra – New Zealand’s batting star
Rachin Ravindra (Image Source: Twitter)
One of the standout performers in the quadrennial event, Rachin Ravindra became New Zealand‘s sensation. The young cricketer set the cricket world ablaze with his outstanding exploits. As the tournament’s leading run-scorer, Ravindra amassed a staggering 578 runs at an average of 64.22, featuring three centuries and two fifties. His left-arm spin also contributed five crucial wickets, showcasing his versatility.
3. Gerald Coetzee – South Africa’s pace sensation
Gerald Coetzee (Image Source: Twitter)
Gerald Coetzee, the 23-year-old pace sensation from South Africa, left an indelible mark in his debut World Cup. Despite South Africa’s semifinal loss to Australia, Coetzee’s late burst int he game where he picked crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Josh Inglis showcased his talent and commitment. Finishing the tournament with 20 wickets at an average of 19.80, he set a new record for the most wickets by a South African in their debut ICC Men’s World Cup.
4. Azmatullah Omarzai – Afghanistan’s rising player
Azmatullah Omarzai (Image Source: Twitter)
In the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan found a rising star in Azmatullah Omarzai. Making his debut, Azmatullah showcased his batting prowess with three half-centuries, accumulating a total of 353 runs at an impressive average of 70.60. His contributions extended beyond batting, as he also took seven wickets, proving to be a valuable all-round asset for Afghanistan.
5. Bas de Leede – Netherlands’ seam bowling all-rounder
Bas de Leede (Image Source: Twitter)
Bas de Leede played a crucial role for Netherlands as a seam bowling all-rounder in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He showcased his versatility by scoring 139 runs, including a crucial half-century in nine games. With the ball, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for the Netherlands, claiming 16 wickets, making him a vital contributor across departments.
Also READ: From most centuries to most sixes: Stats and records of the ODI World Cup 2023
6. Shreyas Iyer – India’s middle-order maestro
Shreyas Iyer (Image Source: Twitter)
Shreyas Iyer, despite a shaky start, emerged as India‘s middle-order maestro in the 2023 World Cup. In the tournament, he showcased brilliance, scoring 530 runs in eleven innings at an impressive average of 66.25 With three fifty-plus scores and two centuries, Iyer played a pivotal role in India’s dominance to the final.
7. David Malan – England’s batting bright spot
David Malan (Image Source: Twitter)
Despite England‘s overall disappointing campaign, David Malan emerged as a batting bright spot in the 2023 World Cup. Malan scored 373 runs in eight games, the highest for England in the tournament. His contributions included a century and two fifties, highlighting his ability to anchor the innings.
8. Abdullah Shafique – Pakistan’s batting hero
Abdullah Shafique (Image Source: Twitter)
Abdullah Shafique made a remarkable impact for Pakistan in his debut World Cup. His century in a record-breaking chase against Sri Lanka was a defining moment. Scoring 336 runs in eight matches with an average of 42, Shafique played a crucial role in Pakistan’s campaign.
9. Josh Inglis- Australia’s man of crisis
Josh Inglis (Image Source: Twitter)
Josh Inglis have played a role of crisis-man for Australia in his debut World Cup, delivering crucial runs in the middle order. Notably, he played a gritty 28-run knock against South Africa in the second semi-final. In the tournament, he amassed 159 runs in ten matches at a strike rate of over 94. Additionally, his commendable glovework behind the stumps added value to the team.
10. Towhid Hridoy- Bangladesh’s find of the tournament
Towhid Hridoy (Image Source: Twitter)
Despite a disastrous campaign for Bangladesh, Towhid Hridoy stood out as a bright light. He scored 164 runs in seven games with an average of 32, leaving a lasting impression in his debut World Cup.
Also READ: Top 5 leading run-scorers of the ODI World Cup 2023
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