World Cup 2023 :- SWOT Analysis of Team India ahead of the World Cup

STRENGTHS

1. Quality Top Order :- Indian team has a quality top order with Rohit and Gill to open and Virat to follow. Rohit and Kohli being the most experienced batters in the line up and Gill has proven to be consistent performer at the top in recent years.
2. Fast Bowling Form :- India's fast bowling has come a long way over the past few years and even recently the fast bowlers look very sharp with the likes of Siraj, Shami and Bumrah.
3. Spin Attack :- Team India has a very potent and experienced spin attack in home conditions with Jadeja looking sharp as always, Kuldeep coming back to his best form. The addition of Ashwin will be a huge boost for the team as he brings experience and his canniness in crucial situations.
4. Variety of All-Rounders :- India has 2 fast bowling all rounders (Hardik and Shardul) and 2 spin bowling all rounders (Jadeja and Ashwin) in the squad. This will help the team to stabilise the playing 11 according to the conditions and opposition.
5. Good balance of experience and exuberance of youth :- Just like 2011 squad, this squad has a good mix of experienced players like Rohit, Kohli, Rahul, Ash, Bumrah, Shami etc and young players like Gill, Kishan, Iyer etc.
6. Bench Strength :- All the players in the squad the can walk in the playing 11 which means India has a very good bench strength in the world cup this time round.

WEAKNESS

1. Middle Order Concerns :- Off late India has struggled in the middle order where the team has found t difficult to decide as to who is their 4&5 batsman.
2. Recent struggle against spin :- During the recent years Indian batters who are traditionally dominant against spin have found it difficult against spinners on turning tracks.
3. Knockout Matches :- India has under performed in knockout matches of ICC events over the last few years.
4. Over Dependence on Top Order :- India is too much dependent on top order in such big tournaments, so when the top order fails it has been difficult to put a big score on the board.

OPPORTUNITIES

1. Home Conditions :- India is hosting the world cup after 12 years. It is a great opportunity to lift the cup again in home conditions. India must use their experience of playing in home conditions to their benefit.
2. Emerging Players :- Players like Ishan Kishan, Surya, Iyer who have been bought into the ODI setup recently have a great opportunity to contribute in home conditions in the world cup.

THREATS

1. Other Strong Teams :- Top teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa will look to upset the host nation on any given day. These teams are equally as strong as India on their given day.
2. Injury Concerns :- Indian team have a few players who have recently come back from injury, player like Bumrah, Rahul and Iyer who all will have a huge role in the world cup.
3. Expectations :- Nation's expectation of winning the world cup at home is huge on the minds of the players and the board.
4. Workload Management :- This year world cup is long tournament with 9 league matches plus travelling after every match. Workload management must be done effectively in order to keep the players fresh throughout the World Cup.