India-England combined XI for 2019 World Cup

India and England are amongst the favorites to lift the 2019 World Cup title. Both teams possess tremendous talent on board and a victory for either amidst the nerve-wracking battles looks highly probable on cards.

As a matter of fact, the 3-match ODI series that took place between them prior to the ongoing Test series was a testament of the talent and potential that lies beneath both units.

While it would be a bit difficult to predict as to which team amongst the duo would get their hands onto the most coveted title, one could surely draw out the combined XI from India and England, whose players will certainly leave an impact during the riveting battles.

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#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Mr. Hitman is one of the most elegant strikers of the ball in the shorter format of the game. His timing and shot selections are just impeccable and considering his recent set of performances in the white ball cricket, it is quite evident that he would end up with some crucial knocks in the marquee event.

#2 Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow

Bairstow has a stupendous record as a batsman in the ODI format of the game. In 51 ODIs, he averages a whopping 50.31 and has a strike rate of 105.31, which gives a glimpse of his destructive abilities.

His performance would be of utmost importance for the English unit while setting off to a flying start in the World Cup battles.

#3 Virat Kohli(c)

Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper is already an all-time legend at halfway through his career. In 211 ODIs, Kohli has amassed 9,779 runs at an average of 58.21, with 35 centuries and 48 fifties to his name.

Looking at the pace of his progress, it won't be a surprise if he manages to destroy some more cricketing records by the end of World Cup.

#4 Joe Root

Joe Root

The 27-year-old is one of the prolific run-getters for the English unit in the shorter format of the game. In 116 ODIs, he has amassed 4,800 runs at an average of 51.61 with 13 centuries and 28 half-centuries to his name.

His back to back centuries in the last couple of games in the 3-match ODI series against India was an exhibition of how great a player he could turn out to be when the situation demands.

#5 Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler

Without an iota of doubt, Buttler is the most destructive wicket-keeper batsman of the modern times. A strike rate of 117.11 in 117 ODIs, and an average of 40.36 is an evidence to his mayhem unleashing abilities.

Buttler is well versed in the art of hard-hitting from the very instant, and an event like the World Cup would be a perfect platform for him to unleash his carnage over the opposition unit.

#6 MS Dhoni (wk)

MS Dhoni

The Indian batting legend seems to be a perfect fit at number 6 position. Though his performances in the last couple of series made him a subject of mass criticism, one simply can't deny the fact that Dhoni is still the best when it comes to chasing mammoth totals when the team is under humongous pressure.

Dhoni's invaluable experience and knowledge will surely help India in getting an edge over the rivals in crunch situations.

#7 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes

The English all-rounder enjoys some mindboggling records in the shorter format of the game.

In 70 ODIs, he has picked up 58 scalps at an average of 69.72, and with the bat, he has managed to amass 1,846 runs at an average of 35.5 with 3 daddy hundreds and 12 fifties to his name, making him one of the finest all-rounders at this juncture of World cricket.

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The swing specialist is among the finest bowlers to have ever donned the Indian jersey. In 87 matches, he has been influential behind 90 dismissals and is on the verge of reaching the milestone of 100 wickets in the white-ball cricket.

Also, it's not just his bowling that has improved significantly over the years, but, his batting too has undergone some beneficial improvements which have helped India in getting an edge over the opponents on quite a few occasions.

With World Cup being the greatest event in the game of cricket, players like Bhuvneshwar would come in handy on numerous occasions throughout the engrossing competitions.

#9 Liam Plunkett

Liam Plunkett

Plunkett's prowess as a fast bowler has significantly improved over the years. He is England's go-to bowler under tough situations, and his presence is a must if they are to win the World Cup competitions which would be held in their home conditions.

With 114 scalps in 73 ODIs at an average of 29.65, Plunkett remains one of the most reliable bowlers from the English side who could turn the tables when needed.

#10 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

The toe-crushing yorker specialist is currently going through a purple patch in his career, and it seems his performance would rise to another level before the 2019 World Cup contests.

The 24-year-old has already picked up 64 wickets in 37 ODIs, and he will be India's greatest weapon during the World Cup duels.

#11 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

The spin wizard had one ripper of a series during the 3-match ODI series against England. With best figures of 25/6 in the first ODI at Trent Bridge, Kuldeep ensured a total decimation of the English unit and curbed them to a total of 268, in the process helping the Men in Blue in registering a victory over the hosts.

His ability to spin the game in India's favor from seemingly impossible situations could prove to be of a great help during the World Cup games.