No Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma | IPL Great Picks MI Veterans As Key Players For World Cup 2023
Jasprit Bumrah was last seen in action for India in September 2022 (Twitter)
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is set to be played in India later this year. The International Cricket Council (ICC), in compliance with the BCCI, have already unveiled a full schedule for the 10-team event. Team India will start out as one of the favourites of the tournament, and will look to maximise their home advantage to end their 10-year ICC title drought, and 12-year World Cup drought this year.
Ahead of the main event, former West Indies captain and batting legend Chris Gayle has handpicked two Indian players who he thinks can make a big impact for the ‘Men in Blue’ in their title quest.
Chris Gayle picks injured Jasprit Bumrah among two MI stars
Batting great Chris Gayle was recently asked to pick his favourites for the 2023 World Cup in India. While the legendary opening batter refused to answer the question, he did name four contenders who can make it to the semi-finals.
Gayle picked hosts India alongside Pakistan, Australia and England as the leading candidates to secure a top-four finish in the tournament. During an interview with the Times of India, the 43-year-old said:
"Don’t know who's the favourite, but I can actually give you a little bit about the top four. I think India, Pakistan, England and Australia are the four teams."
The Jamaica-based batter was also asked to predict the key players for India. While the current Indian team boasts of batting icons like Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, the West Indies star claimed Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav might play a big role for the hosts’ fortunes.
Even though Bumrah has been out of action for nearly a year due to his back injury, Chris Gayle has predicted that the senior Indian speedster will make a timely comeback to Rohit Sharma’s team.
"Jasprit Bumrah for sure. I’m sure he’s going to be back. And young man Suryakumar Yadav. These two guys."
 "Aakash Saini")
