5 key takeaways from the first 10 matches of the 2023 World Cup

The Australia vs South Africa encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday, October 12 was the 10th match of the 2023 World Cup. If we look at the points table of the tournament after 10 matches, South Africa are on top with four points from two matches.

New Zealand, India and Pakistan also have the same number of points as the Proteas from the same number of matches. However, South Africa are occupying the top spot due to their superior net run rate of +2.360. The Kiwis are second with a net run rate of +1.958 followed by India (+1.500) and Pakistan (+0.927). Defending champions England are in fifth position with two points from two games.

Looking at the second half of the World Cup points table, Bangladesh are in sixth position with one victory and one defeat from two matches. Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Australia and Afghanistan occupy the next four spots respectively. All the four sides have played two matches and have lost both.

While these are still early days in the 2023 World Cup, here are some significant observations from the 10 matches held so far.

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#1 India’s will without Gill

India have been without Shubman Gill for the first two matches. (Pic: Getty Images)

Hosts India suffered a major setback ahead of their first match against Australia in Chennai as in-form opener Shubman Gill was ruled out of the contest. The significance of India’s loss can be gauged from the fact that the 24-year-old is the leading run-getter in ODIs in 2023. In 20 matches, he has scored 1230 runs at an average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03, with five hundreds and as many fifties - phenomenal numbers by any yardstick.

When Ishan Kishan was dismissed for a duck in the chase against Australia, playing a horror stroke, India missed Gill for sure. It led to a mini-collapse as Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer also perished without scoring. However, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul showed why nothing can replace experience.

Of course, India would still want Gill in the playing XI. But even if he misses the next few World Cup games, the Men in Blue will be confident of overcoming his absence.

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#2 South Africa, New Zealand are here to make life tough for the favorites

South Africa and New Zealand have been two of the dominant sides in the World Cup. (Pic: AP)

Neither South Africa nor New Zealand were touted as favorites heading into the 2023 World Cup. The teams have only played two matches each and it’s still too early to play up their chances. But what both teams, who are yet to win the World Cup despite coming close on a few occasions, have shown so far is that they can make life extremely dangerous for the favorites.

The Proteas have played with a refreshingly bold approach, which had been missing in some of their previous World Cup campaigns. Fans would only hope that they don’t lose the plot in the knockouts this time, assuming they make the final four.

As for the Kiwis, they made an emphatic statement with their nine-wicket drubbing of England in the World Cup opener. New Zealand often enjoy flying under the radar, but in this competition, we might a see a different avatar of the good boys of cricket.

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#3 Uncharacteristic uncertainty in Australian team

Australia have been out of sorts in the competition so far. (Pic: AP)

Do not write off Australia after two defeats. The five-time world champions have the ability to fight back and have done so numerous times before. But in the two matches that they have played so far, they have been un-Australian in most senses.

In fact, even before the World Cup began, they made the debatable choice of going in with only one frontline spinner, Adam Zampa, who, by the way, is not in great form. Suddenly, Glenn Maxwell finds himself thrust into the role of main spinner. As good as he is with the ball, it’s asking a bit too much.

The less said about Australia’s fielding the better - it has been atrocious. Their strong batting line-up has failed in two consecutive games, while the bowling, barring the start against India, has lacked bite. The 2023 World Cup needs the real Australia to stand up.

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#4 Ignore Pakistan at your own peril

Pakistan have won both of their matches so far. (Pic: AP)

It’s no secret in world cricket that unpredictability and Pakistan go hand in hand. And while this aspect has often led to their downfall, it has also made them an extremely dangerous outfit. One cannot really predict what they can do on a given day. This World Cup has been no different for them so far.

They were lethargic at the start against Netherlands, but fought back to register a comfortable 81-run win. Against Sri Lanka, they disappointed with the ball, but then came out and registered the highest successful chase in the history of the men’s ODI World Cup - 345.

Any team that faces Pakistan will need to be on their toes because, as always, they would never know what is coming.

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#5 Bazball will be put to test

Defending champions England began their campaign with a nine-wicket loss to New Zealand. (Pic: AP)

England were one of the favorites to clinch the 2023 World Cup heading into the competition. They still are, but the defending champions got a rude reality check in the tournament opener as they thrashed by the Kiwis by nine wickets.

Like in the Ashes, the Englishmen will look to continue playing in Bazball mode. And, like in the closely contested red-ball series against the Aussies, their methods will be tested.

England made a commendable comeback in the Ashes. Will they prove detractors wrong again in the ongoing World Cup?