A.B. de Villiers: Perhaps the most terrifying batsman in world cricket, de Villiers is fresh from making the fastest century (31-ball 100) in the 44-year history of ODIs.
Virat Kohli: Kohli will be carrying the hopes of Indians when the defending champions go into their title defence. He has a good record in Australia and New Zealand and would like to continue his good run Down Under.
Glenn Maxwell: The 26-year-old’s performances in ODIs have seen him gain worldwide fame since his debut in 2012. His off-spin will be an important tool for Australia in the World Cup, as well his skills with the bat.
Chris Gayle: The Jamaican has been playing ODI cricket since 1999 and will represent the West Indies in his fourth World Cup. A damaging opening batsman, Gayle has scored more than 8,800 ODI runs and claimed 158 wickets.
Kane Williamson: If New Zealand are to end their World Cup hoodoo on their own turf this month then surely Williamson will be their go-to man. He has hit at least 50 in 12 of his last 18 ODI innings and has developed a reputation as one of the most consistent performers in the team.
Shahid Afridi: A popular veteran of the Pakistan team, Afridi has been playing for his country for more than a decade. Afridi is no stranger to the World Cup, having played in the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 versions. If Pakistan are to go the distance it will be imperative for the 34-year-old Pathan to shine with both bat and the ball.
Kumar Sangakkara: The wicketkeeper-batsman is padding up for his fourth World Cup, having played in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Sangakkara is in the form of his life, milking runs everywhere. The former captain’s form will be a key factor in deciding Sri Lanka’s Cup fortune in his ODI swansong tournament.
Dale Steyn: The 31-year-old Protean is the most revered fast bowler in the world, a workhorse capable of express pace, metronomic consistency and bamboozling swing. For almost a decade now, he has had the full package.
Mitchell Johnson: Having been rested for much of the tri-series against Indian and England, the ace Australian pacer Johnson is ready to be unleashed in the World Cup. He has been at his destructive best over the past one year and will lead the Aussie bowling attack.
James Anderson: England’s pace spearhead Anderson is key to their fortunes in the World Cup. He is England’s leading ODI wicket-taker with 264 scalps and, in his fourth World Cup, can provide the start his team needs in their aim to lift their maiden trophy. (IANS)
