Combined Indian XI with players from two World Cup winning teams

#2. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin was sixth time lucky

Sachin Tendulkar’s distinguished career would not have been complete without a World Cup victory under his belt. Sachin was sixth time lucky in 2011 when he played in a World Cup for the last time.

Sachin's record across six World Cups is remarkable. As of now, in World Cups, Sachin holds the record of most number of runs (2278), most centuries (6), most fifties (15), most runs in a World Cup – 673 in the 2003 World Cup. His average in World Cup stands at 57.

In 2003, India came so close to winning the World Cup under Sourav Ganguly when they lost to the then-defending champion Australia in the final. India and Sachin had to wait for 8 more years to reach the final of a World Cup.

In the 2011 World Cup, Sachin was in tremendous form as he scored 482 runs including two hundred. In the quarter-final against the defending champion Australia, India were chasing a tricky target of 260 for a win. Sachin scored a crucial 53 off 68 balls.

In the semi-final against arch-rivals Pakistan, Sachin was the top scorer with 85 of 115 balls. Sachin was quite fortunate in that innings when he was saved by the technology twice. He was also dropped on four occasions when on 27, 45, 70 and 81. To Sachin’s credit, he hung on amidst all ruins to enable India to reach a respectable score.

Though Sachin didn’t score too many in the finals, he was instrumental in India reaching the final.

Sachin would be the ideal opening partner for Srikkanth.

#3. Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir - The big match player

Many would be surprised to see Gautam Gambhir at No. 3 as the obvious choice would have been King Kohli. But this team has been based on the performances of the players in the respective World Cups.

Gambhir scored 393 runs including four 50s in World Cup 2011. He came in at the crucial No. 3 position and made some valuable contributions for the team.

In the quarter-final against the then-defending champion Australia, India were chasing a score of 261 and lost Sehwag early in the innings. Gambhir came in and added 50 runs for the second wicket with Sachin and 49 for the third wicket with Kohli. Immediately after reaching his fifty, he ran himself out with the Indian score on 168, but he had played his part.

Gambhir had a quiet semi-final against Pakistan. In the final, India were chasing a tough target of 275 for a World Cup win after 28 years. Malinga got rid of both the Indian openers with the Indian total on 31.

At such a tricky situation, Gambhir decided to anchor the innings. One more wicket at that stage would have been curtains for India’s aspiration to win the World Cup. He had a crucial partnership of 83 runs with Virat Kohli for the third wicket. Gambhir reached his 50 off 56 balls with 6 fours.

When Virat got out, Dhoni surprisingly walked in at No. 5 to join Gambhir. These two experienced campaigners put on 109 runs for the fourth wicket which took India to safety.

Gambhir was nearing his century when a sudden rush of blood cost him his wicket. Gambhir should have become the first Indian to score a century in a World Cup final. However, with his innings of 97, he had already played his part.

It is heartening to note that Gambhir was the highest scorer in the final of both the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 50 over World Cup in 2011. Time and again, he has proved himself to be a big match player.

Gautam Gambhir will be the No. 3 batsman in the team.