5 underrated players who can shine at the Cricket World Cup

The cricketing extravaganza is back after a hiatus of 4 years. Although the format of the World Cup has been criticized for its length with the knockout matches beginning only after a month and the top 8 Test playing nations virtually assured progression to the quarterfinals, it can still turn out to be an exciting tournament as there is no clear favourite to lift the Cup this time. Starting with the co-hosts who will be looking to exploit home advantage, Australia have a well balanced team with explosive power both in the batting and bowling department while Newzeland have struck a rich vein of form and always punched above their weight in ICC events.It will also be interesting to see if South Africa can finally overcome the perennial “chokers” tag with the best batsman and bowler in the world at their disposal in AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, respectively. Amongst the other teams, England have a young team led by a new inspirational captain without any baggage, and it will be foolhardy to discount defending champions India given their batting depth. Also, the other two Asian giants Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been known to perform well above expectations and it won’t be a surprise if it happens this time too. Honestly, any of them can win the World Cup by pulling together a string of 3 good performances in the knockout stages. Coming to the players, big guns like AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Kumar Sangakkara and Dale Steyn will obviously be expected to perform at the biggest stage, but here’s a list of 5 underrated players who can play a pivotal part in their country’s success:

#1 Trent Boult

The left-arm seamer from New Zealand has the rare ability to bowl quickly and swing the ball both ways. This makes him a dangerous proposition on the seamer-friendly pitches of Australia and New Zealand. While he has become Kiwi’s mainstay in the Test arena, he has just played 16 ODI matches, taking 18 wickets at an average of 34.

But he gave all his upcoming opponents a stern warning by taking 5 wickets against the South Africans in a World Cup warm-up match. If he can recreate his lethal new-ball partnership with Tim Southee in the ODI arena, the co-hosts will be quite a handful.

#2 Mohammad Irfan

With the trio of Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali and Sohail Khan having played only 9 ODI matches between them, the burden of leading the hallowed Pakistani pace attack has fallen on the tall shoulders of Mohammad Irfan.

At 7ft 1in, he is comfortably the tallest cricketer around, and he has used this to his advantage, generating disconcerting bounce at a decent pace which has troubled batsmen all around the world. This ability should be quite useful on the bouncy surfaces Down Under, and Pakistan’s progression in the tournament will depend on his ability to lead the pace attack from the front.

#3 Ajinkya Rahane

Though there is no doubting Ajinkya Rahane’s class and talent, he has yet to perform at the desired level in ODI cricket, averaging just over 30 in 46 matches. A major reason for his inconsistency has been the constant shifting of him in the batting order which hasn’t given him an opportunity to establish himself at any position.

He has shown that he can combine conventional batting with innovation during the warm-up matches and having already played some sublime Test innings in Australia, there is no doubt that Rahane will be a vital cog of the Indian batting machine which will have to perform at full throttle to cover up for the mediocre bowling.

#4 Steven Smith

It won’t be an overstatement to say that Steven Smith is in the form of his life. He has averaged 57.53 since returning to the ODI side in August while plundering runs at 86.57 in Tests over the last two months, also becoming the Test captain in the process.

He is the mainstay of the middle order right now considering the injury concerns of captain Michael Clarke and the indifferent form of George Bailey. Australia will be desperately hoping that he can continue this form in the World Cup and lead them to glory in front of the home supporters.

#5 Moeen Ali

In the 17 ODIs that Moeen Ali has played as an opener for England, there have more than enough glimpses of lazy elegance and beautiful strokeplay by the left-hander. He has also evolved from being a part-time bowler to quite a handy offspinner in recent months.

This relatively young English side, with a new captain at the helm, has the capability to surprise a few at the World Cup and will be looking to Moeen Ali to provide impetus from the top of the order and also chip in with a few crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs with his bowling.