World Cup 2023: 5 records that can be broken in the tournament

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The one-day international (ODI) World Cup year is almost here, and cricket fans are eagerly waiting to witness the cricketing festival to be held in India. In the 2011 World Cup, India won the World Cup as hosts, and this time as well, the Men in Blue are the favourites to clinch the title. Along with Rohit Sharma and Co., the five-time champions Australia and the defending champions England are also the among the favourites to lift the prestigious World Cup.

In the prestigious competition, eyes will also be set on players who can break into the record books by surpassing sensational numbers set by legendary veterans in the previous World Cup editions. Some players performed exceptionally in the last two World Cup installments; now, they might register a few records to their names in the upcoming World Cup.

Here are the five records that can be shattered in the ODI World Cup 2023

5. Rohit Sharma breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of hitting the most sixes in the tournament

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The West Indies opener Chris Gayle holds the record for hitting the most sixes in ODI World Cups, with 49 maximums in five World Cup appearances (2003-2019). Talking about the Indian team, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are currently placed in seventh and ninth positions with 27 and 29 maximums, respectively.

However, in the upcoming World Cup, India captain Rohit Sharma might leave both Ganguly and Tendulkar behind and become the Indian player with the most sixes in the World Cup. So far, Rohit has played in two World Cup editions (2015 and 2019), in which he has smashed 23 maximums in 17 matches.

In the 2019 World Cup, Eoin Morgan smacked 22 sixes and became the batter with the most maximums in the tournament. While on the other side, Rohit hit 14 sixes in nine matches of the competition and ended up in the third spot on the chart of batters with the most sixes in the tournament.

4. Mohammed Shami breaking the records of Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan and becoming the highest wicket-taking Indian in World Cups

Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In the last couple of World Cup installments, Mohammed Shami played a vital role in taking India to the semi-finals. The pacer became the fourth-leading wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup, picking up 17 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 4.81, with his best bowling innings of 4/35 against Pakistan.

The speedster played his second World Cup in 2019, and this time as well, he looked impactful with the ball. In just four matches of the tournament, Shami took 14 wickets in four contests at an economy of 5.48. Against Afghanistan, he also clinched a hat-trick and powered India to claim an intriguing 11-run win.

In 2023, the World Cup will be played in India, and taking advantage of this fact, Shami will look to be at his best in home conditions and help India to lift the trophy. Currently, the veteran has 31 wickets in 11 matches of ODI World Cups, and in the upcoming competition, he is expected to become the leading wicket-taker for India in the distinguished tournament, leaving Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath behind as both former India stalwarts are holding the record of highest wicket-taker for India with 44 wickets respectively.

3. Glenn Maxwell shattering Ricky Ponting’s record of 31 sixes and becoming the Australian player with the most maximums in the tournament

Glenn Maxwell. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Glenn Maxwell will be an essential part of Australia’s campaign in the 2023 World Cup. Utilising his experience and skills, the veteran will look forward to adding strength to his side. His explosive batting style is something that makes him special in the current Aussie squad. In Australia’s spectacular fifth World Cup triumph, Maxwell chipped in with 324 runs in eight matches.

Thus far, the Aussie right-handed batter has struck 21 sixes in 16 innings. With these numbers, he is the fourth-leading six-hitter for Australia in World Cups. However, in the upcoming one-day extravaganza, he could become the leading six-hitter for his nation in the tournament, surpassing Matthew Hayden, Aaron Finch, and Ricky Ponting.

In his immense career, Maxwell has played a lot of cricket in India, and in the marquee event, he will strive to be at his best to reinforce his national side with his fantabulous batting style.

2. Mitchell Starc becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, surpassing Glenn McGrath

Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In Australia’s title win in the 2015 World Cup, Mitchell Starc spearheaded Australia’s bowling attack from the front. Bagging 22 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 3.50, he became the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament, along with the New Zealand pacer Trent Boult.

Similarly, in the 2019 World Cup, the speedster also strengthened Australia’s pace attack with his ferocious bowling. Taking advantage of the lively surfaces in England, Starc ended up as the leading wicket-taker again, hunting 27 batters in 10 matches at an economy of 5.43.

Currently, former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker in World Cups with 71 wickets in 39 matches at an economy of 3.96. In the upcoming tournament, if Starc continues his scintillating bowling form, he could become the highest wicket-taker in the World Cups, replacing McGrath on the bowling charts.

1. Rohit Sharma breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most centuries in the tournament

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In the 2019 World Cup, Rohit Sharma played attacking cricket and became the leading run-scorer, amassing 648 runs with five tons and a half-century in nine matches. The veteran also became the first batter to hit five tons in a single installment of the ODI World Cup.

Currently, he is the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in ODI World Cups, with 978 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 95.97. In the marquee ODI tournament coming ahead, there are high chances of Rohit becoming the third-highest run-getter for India as the stylish India opener is only 29 runs behind to surpass Sourav Ganguly, who is in the third place on the list of India batters with the most runs in the World Cups.

However, one more record will likely register under Rohit’s name, is the most centuries in World Cups. Until now, the dynamic India opener is jointly holding the record for most World Cup tons with Sachin Tendulkar. However, in the upcoming ODI extravaganza, Rohit will get a chance to become the batter with the most centuries in the World Cups.