MY WORLD CUP XV

 

On the eve of World Cup Squad Selections, some players are sure to have found themselves a secured seat in the bus, where as there would be some anxiously waiting for their big ticket.

 

Below are my likely XV for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015:-

 

Batsmen:-

1)      Shikhar Dhawan 

2)      Rohit Sharma

3)      Virat Kohli

4)      Ajinkya Rahane

5)      Suresh Raina

 

Wicket Keepers:-

1)      Mahendra Singh Dhoni

2)      Robin Uthappa

 

 All Rounders:-

1)      Ravindra Jadeja

2)      Stuart Binny

 

Fast Bowlers:-

1)      Bhuvaneshwar Kumar

2)      Ishant Sharma

3)      Umesh Yadav

4)      Mohammad Shami
 

 Spinners:-

1)      Ravichandran Ashwin

2)      Axar Patel

 

Despite recent lack of form in whites, the opening combination for India in colours looks well settled with S Dhawan & R Sharma, both of who have established their places in this format. The middle order looks ominous with likes of Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane & MS Dhoni in terrific batting form. Spin duo, R Jadeja & R Ashwin would provide the ideal balance with their all round abilities. The consistent B Kumar & the experienced I Sharma should be able to find themselves a certain place in the starting XI.

 

M Vijay with his current form in the test series has really pushed his case for selection, but I think with Rahane in addition to S Dhawan & R Sharma, there is adequate back up leaving no vacancy for the opening slot.

 

Robin Uthappa has been picked as standby wicket keeper ahead of Ambati Rayudu & Wriddhiman Saha since he has been efficiently used as a floating option in the batting order. His versatility allows him to bat anywhere in the batting order and he can modify his approach depending on the situation. Possessing the kind of batting elegance and the aggressive mindset, he is an absolute match winner & can be the X factor for India.

 

Umesh Yadav & Varun Aaron both offer some additional raw pace, the former has been picked on account of better control & greater experience. Mohammad Shami with his accuracy should find his way ahead of Mohit Sharma & Dhawal Kulkarni. Despite being very identical to R Jadeja, Axar Patel has forced himself in the XV (ahead of Karn Sharma & Kuldeep Yadav) because of his consistent performances and his ability to bowl effectively in the death overs.

 

Stuart Binny finds a place because he is the sole seam bowling all rounder available. He could provide the ideal balance in the playing XI if skipper MS Dhoni feels the need of four seam bowling options on wickets in Australia or New Zealand. In that case the part time off spinners of Suresh Raina & Rohit Sharma could prove very handy, much like they have been used in the past by skipper MS Dhoni.