All Time Cricket World Cup XI: Who made it to the team ?

It is ICC World Cup time and time for fans to come up with all kinds of stats like a list of highest run scorers, list of highest wicket-takers, the most number of man of the match awards, highest individual score, best bowling figures and many more. However, one list that matters the most is the All-time World Cup XI. The all-time World Cup XI features the top performers in the history of the World Cup.

World Cup is the biggest tournament in cricket and it brings the best out of every player. In the long history of the World Cup, there have been some fantastic performances from some big names of World cricket. The criterion for the selection of this team is not only the big runs or a high number of wickets but also the impact that these players have created. It is also important to pick the team on the basis of what they did at the World Cup and not on how they performed in the latter part of their careers.

So hold your breath everyone, here comes the All-time World Cup XI.

Openers - Sachin Tendulkar, Adam Gilchrist (Wk)

Sachin Tendulkar

Having played 6 World Cups scoring 2278 runs at an outstanding average of 56.95 with 6 centuries, which is the most in World Cups, Sachin Tendulkar's selection is a no-brainer. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has delivered for Team India where it mattered the most. After single-handedly taking India to the semi-finals in the 1996 edition, Sachin won the man of the tournament award in 2003. However, the highlight of his career was the 2011 World Cup triumph where he lifted the World Cup trophy in front of his home crowd in Mumbai.

Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist is another obvious choice for the opener's role. The Australian wicket-keeper might not have the best of averages in the World Cup but the quick-fire starts he provided to the team laid the platform for a big total. The dashing left-hander scored a magnificent 149 in the finals of the 2007 World Cup final against Sri Lanka.

Middle order - Ricky Ponting (C), Viv Richards, Kumar Sangakkara

Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting won three World Cups, twice as captain, in his glorious international career. Ponting is also the most successful Australian batsman in World Cup history. The former Australian skipper scored 1743 runs in 46 games. Ponting also has 5 World Cup tons to his name, including the breath-taking century in the finals of the 2003 World Cup against India.

Viv Richards

At the time when batting wasn't as easy as it is now, the great Viv Richards boasted an excellent average of 63.31. Richards won two World Cups and is considered to be one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time.

Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara might not have won a single World Cup trophy, but he has left his mark on the tournament with his individual performance. In the 2015 edition, Sangakkara smashed 541 runs in 7 games at a phenomenal average of 108.20. He also hit 4 centuries in the tournament. The Sri Lankan great is third in the list of highest run-getters in World Cup history behind Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

All-rounders - Yuvraj Singh, Lance Klusener

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh's heroics in the 10th edition of the tournament in 2011 brought World Cup glory to India after a long wait of 28 years. The Southpaw performed with both the bat and ball and was named the Man of the tournament. Yuvraj Singh was also instrumental in India's journey to the World Cup final in 2003. Yuvraj Singh scored 738 runs at an average of 52.71 in 23 World Cup games. He also has 20 World Cup wickets to his name.

Lance Klusener

Australia might have won World Cup 1999 but the tournament belonged to Lance Klusener. The South African all-rounder made a mockery of opposition bowling attacks scoring 281 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 140.59 and high strike-rate of 122.17. Klusener was mighty effective with the ball too, picking up 17 wickets at an average of 20.58. If it was not for that tragic run-out in the semi-finals against Australia, Klusener would have taken the Proteas to their maiden World Cup title.

Bowlers - Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath

Wasim Akram

A young Wasim Akram ran through an experienced England batting line-up in the 1992 World Cup final and announced himself on the big stage. Earlier in the match, he played a useful cameo of 33 runs off just 18 balls. Akram led Pakistan to the World Cup final in 1999. Akram finished with 55 World Cup wickets at an average of 23.83 and an economy of 4.04.

Shane Warne

Shane Warne might have played just two World Cups but he played a crucial role for his team both the times. Warne picked up wickets at important junctures of the game-winning crucial moments for his side. Warne could have added to his tally of 32 World Cup wickets only if he wasn't dropped from the side after testing positive for a banned substance.

Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan has a terrific World Cup record to his name. The Sri Lankan legend has 68 scalps in 40 World Cup games.

Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath is undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. McGrath played in 4 World Cup tournaments, three of which Australia won. McGrath tops the list of highest wicket-takers with 71 wickets.