ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Probable first choice XI for all teams

England is all set to host the ICC Cricket World Cup after 20 years but with a change as compared to the previous editions. The tournament will be contested in a 'round-robin' format where every team will play against every other team. As a result, this World Cup is expected to be one of the most closely contested as no team will escape their most feared opposition just because they were placed in different groups.

As the teams get ready for the big stage, most of them have more or less zeroed in on their playing XI. The tournament is a long one and hence changes in the XI are inevitable during the course of the tournament. And the look of a team might not be the same towards the latter half of the tournament as their first choice XI.

Here is a look at the probable first choice playing XI for each team:

#1 India

India start as one of the favorites along with the hosts England, having a balanced and in-form squad

India as one of the favorites along with hosts start England. They enter the World Cup with almost all bases covered. Barring the home series loss against Australia, India have been one of the most successful ODI sides in the past couple of years. The choice of playing XI is pretty straight-forward, except for the two slots; the number four and the second seamer.

Vijay Shankar should get the nod ahead of Rahul and Karthik at number four according to the selectors. As far as the second seamer is concerned, both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami have had similar numbers over the past 6 months. While Bhuvi has an edge with his more than decent batting, Shami gives the extra firepower with the ball in the middle overs.

Probable playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

#2 South Africa

The Proteas do not start as favorites, but should not be taken lightly

The Proteas, after a very long time, do not enter the World Cup as favorites. Much of it has to do with the retirement of the ever-reliable AB de Villiers. However, despite the absence of the legend, the South African team has been able to find its feet. The squad still has enough firepower to go the distance.

Markram will have an important role to play at number three. There might be a toss-up between Rassie van de Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo for the number seven slot, and even Chris Morris might get a nod if they want to make the side bowling-heavy.

Probable playing XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (C), JP Duminy, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir

#3 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will rely heavily on their experienced players like Mathews and Malinga

Sri Lanka are probably the side with the least expectations this World Cup. Their skipper last played an ODI in the 2015 World Cup. Experienced players like Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, and Akila Dananjaya have been dropped.

Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis hold the key in batting, while the pace bowling department looks quite sorted with Malinga, Lakmal, and Pradeep. Vandersay might get the lead spinner's role, assisted by all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva.

Probable playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Perera (WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga

#4 Afghanistan

Afghanistan might upset a few fancied teams with their fearless style of play

The Afghans won the qualifying tournament in 2018 to qualify as the ninth team for the World Cup, beating West Indies in the finals. Since then they have beaten Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, tied with India and lost the game in the last over against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Individuals from their squad are some of the most sought after players in the T20 leagues around the globe.

Hence, it would not be a surprise if Afghanistan manages to topple a few more fancied teams. The XI is pretty much settled except for a few slots. There might be a toss-up between Hazratullah Zazai and Noor Ali Zadran for the opening slot, but the former might get the advantage with his spectacular hitting. With a balanced squad, all they need is to hold their nerves and get over the finishing line.

Probable playing XI: Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Nazibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (C), Rashid Khan, Dawlat zadran, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb ur Rahman

#5 West Indies

The West Indies are strengthened by the presence of Andre Russell and have a great chance of making it to the top four this time

West Indies had to play the qualifiers for the World Cup for the first time ever, where they lost to Afghanistan in the finals. However, they enter the tournament as a rejuvenated team, having some of their stars back. Also, with the kind of cricket they played against England at home is enough to suggest that this side is here to compete.

The toss-up between Nicholas Pooran and Darren Bravo is something that the management might have a headache on. Pooran should make the cut, considering his good form and the surprise element he brings in with him. Considering Andre Russell's fitness issues, they might consider going in with five bowlers apart from him.

Probable playing XI: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Shimron Hetmeyer, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (C), Ashley Nurse, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel

#6 Australia

The rejuvenated Aussies look all set to defend their title and win their sixth World Cup

Winning only 2 out of 13 games in 2018 and losing the home series against India at home in 2019, the Aussies were written off by many. But series wins against India and Pakistan with almost everyone getting back to form has turned the tide and makes them one of the favorites.

The return of David Warner might push Usman Khawaja to number three and Shaun Marsh will have to miss out, despite being in great form in 2018. Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc bring in the much-needed experience too. Overall, this Australian side has everything that is required to defend the title. However, Peter Handscomb and Josh Hazelwood were unfortunate to not make it to the squad despite doing well.

Probable playing XI: David Warner, Aron Finch (C), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

#7 New Zealand

The Kiwis have great balance in their side but need to execute their plans on the field to perfection

The finalists of the 2015 World Cup, New Zealand are the side to get past the group stage the most number of times in World Cups. The squad they have is quite balanced but they have not been consistent with the results in the past year. The presence of quality all-rounders is their biggest strength.

The batting will heavily depend on the top four, with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor having the responsibility of staying till the end and holding the innings together. Tom Latham might miss the first game due to injury but he remains their first choice wicket-keeper. Tim Southee has not been great at the death in recent times and hence he might miss out to Lockie Ferguson. Both Sodhi and Santner are likely to play considering the dry nature of English pitches in June.

Probable playing XI: Martin Guptill, Henry Nichols, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Fergusson, Trent Boult

#8 Bangladesh

Bangladesh have improved a lot since the last World Cup and have a serious chance of making it to the semifinals

Bangladesh qualified for the World Cup ahead of West Indies and that itself speaks volumes about their improvement. Since the last World Cup, they have beaten almost every big team at some point or other. All they need this time is to hold their nerves at crucial moments to make it to the last four.

The batting holds a formidable look with the perfect mix of youth and experience. The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim will be playing their fourth World Cup. Mehidy Hasan will share the spin bowling responsibilities with Shakib while the skipper will be partnered by Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman in the pace department.

Probable playing XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

#9 Pakistan

Pakistan enter the tournament having not won a single game in their last two series

The ever-unpredictable Pakistan have blown hot and cold after their win in the 2017 Champions Trophy. They have been whitewashed in the two series in the build-up to the World Cup; home series versus Australia and away series against England. So form is not exactly on their side going into the World Cup.

However, they are known to up their game cometh the ICC events. And it would not be a surprise if they manage to sneak past the group stage. The batting line-up seems quite settled, while the selection of Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir might make things interesting in the bowling department. Shaheen Afridi, the pacer who set the stage on fire with his pace, is all set to make his World Cup debut.

Probable playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Mallik, Sarfaraz Khan (C & WK), Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir

#10 England

England start as favorites for the World Cup, having been the best team in the last four years

The hosts and the tournament favorites England have hardly put a foot wrong since the debacle in the 2015 World Cup. They have the strongest batting line-up, the home advantage and are in great form. The formidable batting line-up is filled with power-hitters and they do not rely on any single individual.

Their line-up pretty much picks itself. The addition of Jofra Archer might mean Liam Plunkett and Tom Curran both sitting out, as Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are automatic choices based on current form. The greatest advantage is probably having 15 overs of bowling in their top seven and a never-ending batting line-up. The only thing that might stand between them and the trophy is the boom-or-bust approach of the batsmen.

Probable playing XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood