1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin has been in prolific form in 4 of the 5 world cups he has played so far. It is amply clear that he enjoys the big stage. Given that in all probability this might well be his last world cup and being part of a world cup team is the single biggest achievement missing from his CV so far, it is expected that he would do more than his best to correct the anomaly.MSD might be looking up to him for inputs in terms of strategies as well. He would also be a great asset in steering the youngsters like Kohli or Raina who will be making their world cup debuts. India have reasonably extended resting periods between games at least in the league stages, hence the issue of recover ability which has hampered Sachin many a times in the past, shouldn’t be such a huge concern.
2. Hashim Amla
Amla has been in stupendous form in the last two years. He has been piling on runs in all formats of the game and the South African fans would be hoping that his dream run continues through the world cup. He is South Africa’s most important batsman and the team would be expecting him to anchor the innings. Amla along with Kallis and Devillers are South Africa’s best players of spin and the way they perform is going to play an instrumental role in South Africa’s success.
3. Virat Kohli
Kohli like Amla has been on a dream run and is definitely one of the players to watch out for this World cup. His game has improved by leaps and bounds and is possessed with the versatility to alter his game according to the demands of the situation. He is good player of both spin and pace and is also one of India’s best fielders. The only thing he needs to guard against is to let the pressure of playing in a World Cup get to him. He has shown tremendous composure in the IPL but the world cup will be his acid test. I hope India doesn’t commit the folly of not playing him in the eleven.
4. Jonathan Trott
Trott is another player who has been in fabulous form in the run up to the tournament. A batsman who is adept in dealing with both spin and pace. He has emerged has a vital cog in England’s ODI setup. Trott is a player whose success is crucial to England’s chances this world cup. Trott has also demonstrated his skills with the ball in a few matches against Australia in the ODI series held before the World Cup. However, playing in his first world cup might get to him and it is up to the seniors in the team to make sure that he doesn’t lose his cool.
5. Tamim Iqbal
Many might be surprised to see a player from Bangladesh make it to this list. However, Tamim is a player who merits attention. Tamim is a player who is very much in the mold of Sehwag. He is a player who is capable of taking the attack to the opposition. His game is such that even if he manages to stay for close to 15 overs, it would hurt the opposition badly. He played a crucial knock against India in the 2007 world cup, which played a massive role in Bangladesh chasing down the target without any hiccups. If Bangladesh are to reach the knockout stages, performances by Tamim at the top of the order are going to be mightily important.
6. Angelo Mathews
Mathews has been another player who has captured everyone’s interest in the past. He has played many a crucial innings at No.7 for Sri Lanka in the past. Mathews has single handedly won them many matches from situations of near defeats. He has mastered the art of playing with the tail. He plays a vital role with the ball too. On the slow and sluggish pitches, he might be very hard to score off. Also has the uncanny ability to break vital partnerships.
7. Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf is a player I am sure is there on everybody’s list. The ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa has greatly resurrected Pathan’s image in the minds of the cricketing public. A batsman who was ridiculed for his inability to play short-pitched bowling, he silenced all his detractors with his astounding century in Durban. The way he handled the chin music dished out to him pleased one and all. MSD will also be looking to Pathan to fill in the quota of overs from the fifth bowler. His bowling has been steady and it is something which can be relied upon.
8. Shane Watson
Watson has been Australia’s most consistent player for the last couple of years and he was rightly honored with the Allan Border Medal for his feat. He has been prolific in all forms of the game and he fills the requirement of an aggressive opener at the top of the order flawlessly. His bowling has also improved considerably and Watson is Ponting’s go to man for breaking partnerships. If he could replicate his success over the last years in the world cup it will significantly help Australia in its title defense. However, Watson has been played a phenomenal amount of cricket in the recent past and fans will be hoping that he doesn’t breakdown or gets fatigued.
9. Gramme Swann
Swann has been England’s most valued player in the recent past. He has proved vital in England’s scheme of things and has played a crucial role in all their successes. His bowling has been exemplary and he has managed to thrive even in Australia and South Africa, which are locations not conducive to his type of bowling. The pitches in the subcontinent would provide him greater assistance and England would be expecting him to run through a quite a few line ups. Swann has also played many decisive innings down the order and is more than capable of whacking a few if the need arises. Nonetheless, he is making a comeback after an injury lay off and the English fans would be hoping that he comes back strong and invigorated.
10. Lasith Malinga
Malinga at this juncture is arguably one of the best bowlers in the limited overs format playing the game. His bowling has been exemplary in the death overs. He has huge repertoire of slower deliveries, Yorkers, bouncers, slow bouncers etc. His accuracy is incredible. He has been and will be Sangakara’s most trusted man to bowl in the power plays. He is the only man in the chequered history of the game to have taken four wickets in four balls. He is a fine exponent of reverse swing and Sri Lanka will be hoping for a strong performance from him this world cup.
11. Umar Gul
Umar Gul is another bowler who has been splendid with the ball in both T20 and ODI in the recent past. Gul is arguably the most skilled bowler with the old ball amongst the crop playing the game. He has been entrusted with the responsibility of bowling in the power plays and in the slog overs and his performances havemore than justified the trust placed upon him by his team management. He is definitely one of the bowlers to watch out for in this world cup.
