World Cup Dream XI – One best player from each edition of the World Cup

#9 Fast Bowlers - Mitchell Starc (2015), Kapil Dev (1983)

Mitchell Starc

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc was in red-hot form during the 2015 World Cup. The frontline pacer was at his best with a combination of pace and accuracy. He finished the tournament with 22 wickets at an incredible average of 10.18 and economy of 3.50s. His best figures of 6 for 28 came against the Kiwis in Auckland. He also took 2 for 20 from eight overs in the final. He was the X-factor for the success of Australian team throughout the tournament.

Kapil Dev

The Indian team came into the 1983 World Cup as underdogs. This team faced the mighty Windies and Australia in the group stage. To everyone’s surprise, India finished second with four wins and two losses in the group stage thereby making it to the knock-outs. This was indeed a breakthrough for Indian cricket. But the most talked event was that innings from Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe. India were in deep trouble with their top five back in the pavilion with just 17 on the board. The Indian captain, Kapil Dev came into the crease and played one of the finest knocks in Indian Cricket history scoring 175 runs in just 138 balls (4’s – 16, 6’s – 6). India eventually won the game by 31 runs. Fast forward to the final, the team faced two-time champions West Indies. Defending 183, chances of India’s victory looked bleak until Kapil caught Richards by running backwards. This proved to be the turning point of the match as India beat West Indies by 43 runs to win the tournament.