Where are the World Cup winners? Fans question Shubman Gill's inclusion in 'ODI Team of the Year 2023'

In 2023, teams engaged in numerous ODI matches in the lead-up to the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. The bilateral series, the Asia Cup 2023, and the pinnacle event, the ODI World Cup, marked the cricket calendar. Team India emerged as Asian champions, triumphing over Sri Lanka in the final, while Australia caused a major upset by defeating the otherwise undefeated Team India in the CWC 2023 final in Ahmedabad.

Currently engrossed in the 1st Test match, the Indian squad are looking to win their first-ever series in South Africa. During the lunch break, Star Sports showed the results of their conducted poll to determine the "ODI Team of the Year 2023." 

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With over 1.5 crore people participating in the poll, eight Indians secured spots in the Playing 11: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Daryl Mitchell, KL Rahul, Heinrich Klaasen, Adam Zampa, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohamad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah

While many accepted and celebrated the squad, questions arose about the selection, with even commentator Ravi Shastri, currently on duty in South Africa, raising concerns about the absence of players like Rashid Khan, Mitchell Marsh, or Quinton de Kock. He added that Indian fans did not take the poll seriously and only voted for their favourite players.

Particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter), several Indians went a step further, questioning Shubman Gill's inclusion. Despite the raised questions about Shubman Gill's inclusion, they seem unfounded considering his outstanding performance in 2023 ODI matches. 

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Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer, accumulating an impressive 1584 runs from 29 innings, boasting a remarkable average of 63.36 and securing five centuries. Unfortunately, his stellar performance was overshadowed by health challenges during the World Cup, where he battled dengue and underwent recovery throughout the entire tournament.

Shifting focus to the ongoing 1st Test against South Africa, India was dismissed for 245 runs, while the hosts scored 84 in 23 overs, losing just one wicket. Dean Elgar, set to retire after this series, notched up a half-century, supported by Tony de Zorzi at the other end.