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The 2011 World Cup is almost here, and it’s that time of the season for predictions. This time there are no clear favorites, with the top 5 teams more or less equal in strength. My predictions for the semifinals lineup would be India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and England; and my choices for the 11 players to watch out for, reflect this sentiment. Australia might still be top dog in the official rankings, but in their present state of mind, it is hard to envision them playing with much confidence. New Zealand and West Indies are in disarray, while Bangladesh and Pakistan are eternal dark horses. Without much further ado, here are the 11 players to watch out for in this World cup:
1. Hashim Amla (SA): A year ago, Amla was not even an automatic pick in the South African ODI team, let alone being considered in a dream ODI XI. He did have a good ODI career till the end of 2009, but in the past year, he exploded with a vengeance. He topped the batting charts for the year with 1058 runs at an average of 75.57 and SR of 104.23. What will make him a doubly dangerous prospect is his performance in the subcontinent, where he averages 62.42 with a SR of 97.76. In a team filled with dangerous big hitters, he brings an eerie sense of calm and steel, which will be a big plus for his team, who are known to choke on the big stage.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (Ind): How can any dream ODI XI be complete without the ‘Bradman of ODIs’? He played only two ODIs in 2010, but he made one of them very memorable, by scoring the only double ton in ODI history. Tendulkar always reserves his best for World Cup encounters, where he topped the charts in 1996 and 2003. In what could be his final World Cup, he will be desperate to win the silverware in front of his home crowd and add one more glittering achievement to an epic career.
3. Virat Kohli (Ind): One of the most exciting young batsmen in international cricket, Kohli is perhaps the only person who will not complain about playing Sri Lanka more often. More than half his innings have been played against them, and he averages a healthy 41 with 5 half centuries and 1 century. That shouldn’t distract from the fact, that he has scored runs against other teams, when he got the opportunities. He has married aggression and maturity, which has transformed him into a dangerous player, in a short period of time. In the last year, he established himself in the team, and was the second highest run getter behind Amla. It should also help him, that the World Cup is being held in the subcontinent, which he has barely played outside of. Lastly, he knows all about winning the World Cup, having led the India U-19 squad to glory in 2008.
4. AB de Villiers (SA): A player who is all set to become a legend in the coming years, de Villiers is one batsman, bowlers hate to bowl to in the shorter forms of the game. He had a good tournament in the West Indies four years ago, and he is coming back off a good couple of seasons in ODIs. He is a batsman who can switch gears effortlessly, and his record in the subcontinent will ensure that he will enter the tournament with a fearless mindset, and top billing by his competitors. Expect some explosive innings from his blade if South Africa are going to advance far.
5. Eoin Morgan (Eng): This diminutive Irishman is a batsman made for ODI cricket. He has established his reputation as one of the finest finishers in the game, with some good performances against Australia and Pakistan recently. Possessed with a calm head and an array of inventive strokes, Morgan suggests that he has the skills to succeed in the biggest stage of all. In what is expected to be a high scoring tournament, expect some deft and audacious shots from this man while setting a target or chasing down one.
6. Angelo Mathews (SL): One of the few genuine allrounders around, Mathews played his part in one of the best matches of 2010, when he along with Malinga scripted an amazing comeback against Australia. As a batsman, he has the ability to construct an innings if the team is in trouble, or give a final flourish at the end of a team innings. As a bowler he has the invaluable knack of taking wickets at crucial junctures of a game, and is also a handy fielder. Most importantly, he has shown the consistency to perform game after game, and in a long tournament like the World Cup, Sri Lanka will expect much from him.
7. MS Dhoni (Ind): He is one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, who can easily set up an innings as he can help scale it down. He entered the international scene as a dasher, but in the wake of captaincy, he has toned down his batting to become a more dangerous player. He may not be an aesthetic player to watch, but his value to the side is unquestioned, as he gets the job done. He is also one of the smarter keepers in international cricket, and his safe glove work will be a source of comfort to his bowlers. As a captain, his cool and calm demeanor will be his strongest asset when India plays at home in front of thousands of passionate fans. His appetite for World Cup glory has already seen him lift the World T20 cup in South Africa more than three years ago. Can he become the first captain to win both the T20 and ODI World Cups?
8. Shakib Al Hasan (Ban): The leading wicket taker in the past year, Shakib is Bangladesh’s best hope of making it to the semifinal stages. Possessing a strong canny mind, he has the ability to outwit some of the best batsmen in the business. In home conditions, he will be a handful against opponents who betray any sign of weakness. As a captain and one of the team’s premier batsmen, he will also be Bangladesh’s most valuable player.
9. Graeme Swann (Eng): It has been a dream couple of years for England’s star spinner. Whether it is Tests, ODIs or T20s, Swann was always at the forefront of England’s champagne moments. Having tasted success at the World T20, he will be licking his lips at the prospect of challenging the best in conditions suited for his bowling. He is at the height of his powers, with good control, variation and spin at his disposal. Expect him to be in the news throughout the World Cup, whether it is for his cricket, or possible video diaries.
10. Lasith Malinga (SL): In the 2007 World Cup, South Africa were cruising to victory against Sri Lanka, when after 4 balls of slinging mayhem, they were 3 wickets away from a shocking loss. South Africa just made it across the line, but that is exactly what Malinga is capable of. With his round arm action, which generates a fair amount of pace and disconcerting bounce, he is unplayable for batsmen who fail to pick his trajectory. In home conditions, with plenty of crowd support against the backdrop, he will be a headache for opposing batsmen. If that was not enough, he has improved his batting skills and will be a handy lower order batsman for Sri Lanka.
11. Dale Steyn (SA): Unquestionably, the best fast bowler in the world today. While he has not replicated his Test exploits as successfully in ODIs, he still remains a dangerous prospect with a potent combination of speed, bounce and swing, even on flat tracks. He will be itching to correct his record on the subcontinent, where he has an average of 52.83 and ER of 5.87. If he gets his game right, the world is in for an exhibition of some top class fast bowling.
Final Reads : 2725 : Pts 9/10
Editorial Score : Pts 8/10
Total Pts : 17/20
