Shikhar Dhawan Omits Jasprit Bumrah From His World Cup Team

image-llkfjrh6Virat Kohli was Shikhar Dhawan's first pick (Twitter)

As fans worldwide anticipate the magnificence of the World Cup 2023, Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan added to the pre-tournament excitement with his selection of the first five players of his dream XI for the marquee event.

Dhawan excluded Bumrah from his top 5 picks 

Often regarded for his elite performances in ICC tournaments, Dhawan's list is a mix of world-class talent from India, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa.

However, what has left everyone surprised and has set tongues wagging is the glaring omission of Indian pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who is acclaimed as one of the premier bowlers in contemporary cricket across formats.


Dhawan’s top five picks for his Dream 11 for World Cup 2023

Virat Kohli: Kohli's inclusion was nearly a given. Having played in three World Cup editions and emerging as champion in the 2011 tournament on home turf, the former Indian captain is deemed "the best batter in the world" by Dhawan. Kohli's prolific run-scoring ability and consistency made him Dhawan's first choice.

Rohit Sharma: The captain of the Indian team and possessing an envious track record in major tournaments, Rohit was a natural fit in Dhawan's dream lineup. The seasoned opener's significant run contributions, especially in ICC tournaments and bilateral series, earned him Dhawan's praise as a "proven player on the big stage."



Mitchell Starc: Starc, leading wicket-taker from the 2016 and 2019 World Cups with 22 & 27 dismissals respectively, remains one of the most feared left-arm pacers globally. According to Dhawan, Starc's brilliance and reputation as "one of the world's best fast bowlers in the world" made his place in the list.

Rashid Khan: Even though Rashid’s debut World Cup appearance in 2019 saw him grab just six wickets, Dhawan's confidence remains in him remained the same. Anticipating the leg-spinner's potential on the Indian wickets, Dhawan expects the leg-spinner with his “mystery action” to play a vital role in the upcoming World Cup.

Kagiso Rabada: Choosing Rabada over the likes of Shaheen Afridi was a strategic decision for Dhawan. Wanting to avoid redundancy with two left-arm pacers, Dhawan leaned towards Rabada, citing his "extra pace and bounce" as the key factors that can unsettle batters.

Meanwhile, the choice between Bumrah and Rabada would have been a tough call for Dhawan. With Bumrah's expertise, especially in the death overs, and his consistent performances for the Indian team, he could have featured in the list.

However, Dhawan's tilt towards Rabada showed his preference for a diverse and fresh bowling strategy due to his raw pace and bounce.