Ravindra Jadeja and Ben Stokes during IPL 2023 (CSK)
All-rounders often shine as a gem in cricket’s crown, regardless of the format. Some of these versatile athletes possess the flair that can shape the destiny of their teams even in the worst of their crises. Embodying the spirit of modern cricket, especially in 50-overs internationals, such multifaceted individuals have time and again proven that a single player’s dexterity can redefine the course of a match.
As anticipation builds for the impending World Cup 2023 in India, we at OneCricket shall embark on the profiles of three such luminaries who are set to illuminate the premier ODI tournament with their all-round excellence.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja unfurling one of the best knocks of 2019 World Cup (AP)
Overcoming his doubters in his early years itself, Ravindra Jadeja soon became the all-round colossus of the Indian team across all formats. Based out of Saurashtra, the dynamic cricketer possesses the extraordinary ability of wielding the willow and the leather with equal flair. With a bat in hand, Jadeja’s ability to score swift lower-order tense runs is only matched by few, while his spin attributes help him orchestrate impressive demolition jobs especially on turning surfaces.
His frugality with both bat and ball coupled with his gun-fielding makes him any captain’s dream. Arguably the fastest man on the field this century, some of Jadeja’s breathtaking catches and dead-eye direct hits have turned matches on their heads.
While a formidable force in each aspect across every format of the sport, this 177-ODI veteran somehow manages to reserve his best in ICC events. He shone in India’s triumphant run in England throughout 2013 Champions Trophy, and unleashed a knock for the ages in India’s futile semifinal attempt against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup.
Four years on, Jadeja is now presented with an opportunity to go two steps beyond 2019 disappointment by lifting the 2023 crown with his team in front of their home crowd.
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Ben Stokes
An elated Ben Stokes after winning the 2019 World Cup (AP)
A self-proclaimed Test purist, Ben Stokes is equally prodigious in the kingdom of ODI cricket. Such is his value within the team, that he has been intreated to grace England’s 50-overs clothing in the forthcoming World Cup 2023 in India by none other than team’s white-ball skipper Jos Buttler.
Having played the last of his 105 ODIs more than a year ago, Stokes’ only ODI exposure before entering India for the World Cup remains England’s four-match home assignment against familiar foes New Zealand.
Regardless of his short breathing space to adjust back into the format after a year of playing Tests and T20s, the cricketer remains one of England’s best bets to excel on tough Indian surfaces this October and November.
As he has proven already, none comes close to his greatness in ICC tournaments. While England’s trophy cabinet features only three ICC titles, the star all-rounder orchestrated dramatic wins in two of them, with his clutch knocks at 2019 ODI final and 2022 T20I final composing some of the most celebrated chapters of his country’s rich sporting history.
Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan during 2019 World Cup (AP)
Bangladesh legend Shakib Al Hasan has been time-and-again casting his shadow in the game through both trades with equal finesse. His uncanny ability of anchoring as well as accelerating an innings in the middle-order, coupled with his remarkable ability of spinning away his opponents befuddled makes him one of the greatest maestros of the all-rounders craft.
Many would argue that 2019 World Cup’s ‘Player of the Tournament’ award was his to claim, and rightfully so. With the bat, Shakib Al Hasan racked up 606 runs at an average better than Rohit Sharma and David Warner, the highest run-scorers of the competition. Meanwhile, the all-rounder also silently harvested 11 wickets on the side with his crafty left-arm spin throughout his team’s league stage run.
Having made his international debut through an ODI back in 2006, the seasoned Bangladeshi campaigner has been tasked to lead his side in the format’s impending spectacle in India. At the age of 36, the upcoming tournament might well be his final shot at an ICC limited-overs title, one which would also mark a significant height in Bangladesh cricket history at the twilight of his celebrated career.
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