Combined flop XI of ODI World Cup 2023

The ODI World Cup 2023 has been absolutely sensational in terms of the matches and games that the fans have seen. Probably the best tournament so far. The four semi-finalists have already been announced, with India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand remaining to compete for cricket's prestigious trophy. After the 45 matches that have been played in the group stages all across the beautiful stadiums of India, the fans have enjoyed the game of cricket with fun and joy. 

Each and every team has given their best and showcased their talent in the current edition of the tournament. The underdogs have given shocks to many big teams. Afghanistan showcased their best performance in the mega event as they won four matches and qualified for the 2025 Champions Trophy for the first time. 

Team India will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai. In the second semi-final, South Africa will face the mighty Australians, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. All four of these sides have looked in good form in the tournament and have played some good cricket as well. But there were players who could not live up to the expectations as well. In the article, we will look at the flop XI of the current edition of the tournament till the group stages. 

Here's the combined flop XI of the ODI World Cup 2023

11. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc has been out of form in the World Cup 2023. The pacer has failed to create an impact with the new ball and his opening fiery spells except for a couple of matches. Starc has been one of the finest pacers of this generation and his best comes out during the mega event. He so far has played 8 matches and picked up 10 wickets with a poor average of 43.90 and an economy of 6.55 and is not even in the top-10 leading wicket takers of this World Cup. 

10. Mark Wood

England pace star Mark Wood has failed to deliver for his country. Wood has only taken six wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 6.46 and an average of 58.16. He did not find the right line and length to cause any trouble to the opposition batters. As a result, the defending champions performed poorly in the tournament and got knocked out. 

9. Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf of Pakistan has been one of the biggest disappointments in the 2023 World Cup. Despite taking 13 wickets so far, he has given runs at an expensive economy rate of 6.80, which has not helped his side's chances in any way. Rauf became the first Asian to concede more than 500 runs in a single edition of the tournament. 

8. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has appeared in three of the Men in Blue's in the competition he did not get a chance to bat, and Thakur delivered poor performances with the ball. The batters found it easy to get runs off him, as the right-arm bowler gave up runs at an economy rate of 6.00 and only took two wickets at an average of 51.

7. Shadab Khan

Pakistan's Shadab Khan is regarded as one of the finest all-rounders and leg spinners who, on his day, can trouble the top batter. Shadab, on the other hand, was inconsistent during this World Cup. The vice-captain appeared in six matches, took two wickets, and scored 121 runs.

6. Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan, who was competing in his fifth World Cup, did not live up to expectations. The top all-rounder was unable to play all nine league matches. He missed a match against India due to a thigh strain, and then he was unable to play in the last league game due to a finger injury. Shakib took 9 wickets and scored 186 runs in the current edition. 

5. Steve Smith

Steve Smith is yet to make an impact in the 2023 World Cup. He got the starts but was unable to convert them into large scores. He has 205 runs in seven matches. He still has games to turn things around now that Australia has advanced to the semi-finals, the team would need him to step up in the big stages. 

4. Babar Azam

Babar failed to live up to his status as the World Cup's highest-ranked batter and lost his place from the No.1 spot of the Men's Ranking. Despite scoring four fifties, Babar was unable to reach the century mark. He failed as a skipper as well and the Men in Green were knocked out of the tournament for the second consecutive time his leadership qualities have come under the scanner as well. 

3. Joe Root 

Joe Root was crucial with his bat in the 2019 edition, scoring 556 runs in 11 games. But this edition he could not live up to the expectations. He scored two back-to-back fifties in the first two matches and since then he could not get going after getting the starts. Root has scored 276 runs at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 88.46.

2. Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow has not performed as expected by his team management and the fans. He has performed poorly. Bairstow has scored two half-centuries in the whole edition of the tournament. The England opener has 215 runs in 9 innings at an average of 23.88 and a strike rate of 88.47. 

1. Temba Bavuma 

The South African skipper, has done well to lead his team all the way to the semi-finals. But it is his batting that has failed to deliver. Bavuma is yet to score a half-century in this World Cup. He has been the only player with poor form for his side in the competition. He has scored 145 runs in 7 innings at an average of 20.71 and a strike rate of 75.12.