India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, has announced that the team has narrowed down its selection to 17-18 players for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home, which will take place in October-November this year. Dravid made the statement during a press conference on the eve of the third ODI against Australia, which is tied at 1-1.
India has played nine ODI matches, six T20Is, and four Tests in the first three months of 2023, with the focus always on the ODIs. The ongoing series against Australia will be India's last home engagement for the next few months. The team will have three more matches at home against Australia in September before the World Cup.
Dravid said that the team has a few players recovering from injuries who may come into the mix, depending on the time frame of their recoveries. He also mentioned that the team has clarity on the kind of squad they want to play, and they will try different combinations to ensure that they have covered all bases for all conditions.
India will play in nine different cities with different conditions during the tournament, and Dravid emphasized the need for flexibility in the squad to be able to play different combinations of players, such as four fast bowlers or three spinners, depending on the conditions.
Dravid also discussed the team's plans to keep in shape for the global event in October-November 2023 with the ICC World Test Championship final, Asia Cup, and other matches ahead of it.
After the IPL, the team will face the World Test Championship final, followed by a tour of the West Indies and then an Asia Cup. There are a few ODIs before the World Cup, but Dravid believes that the team's schedule is already hectic, and it's hard to add more games, especially during the monsoon season.
Dravid also backed India's top-order, who looked flimsy in the first two ODI against Australia, stating that the team has done well as a batting unit over the last year or so, and it's just a matter of finding a way through difficult spells and not losing too many wickets upfront.
Overall, Dravid expressed confidence in the team and its preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup, and the team will continue to build on their clarity to ensure they have covered all bases for the tournament.