KNOW YOUR CRICKETERS

Since last month, an amazing World Cup is going on Down Under. The young guns in the Indian team will be vying to make history this year. Although they will miss the likes of Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Zaheer, team India has a formidable bunch of batsmen, bowlers and fielders. Can they count up and take the ‘mauka’!

Shikar Dhawan

The Indian opening batsman, nicknamed ‘Gabbar’, is one of the most feared batsmen in the world currently. This left-handed player had scored a century in 85 balls in his test debut against Australia. He was the leading run-scorer and the Man of the Tournament of 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England, which India won.  Dhawan belongs to a Punjabi Khatri family and has aggression in his veins. Team India will rely on his attacking prowess to defend the World Cup.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is a right handed batsman who opens alongside Dhawan. This Mumbai lad hails from Borivali and has done his schooling there. Since the age of 20, he was considered as technically-gifted and hence a regular fixture in the national team. Rohit is the only batsman to score two double centuries in ODI cricket. His knock of 264 runs at Kolkata will always be one of the finest.

Virat Kohli

Many hail him as the next Sachin Tendulkar, but Virat wants to be the first Kohli. He was part of the 2011 World Cup winning team. Easily the key player for India this tournament, Virat will have more responsibilities on his shoulder than ever. This aggressive Delhi boy is quite well-known for the attention he gathers off the pitch. Now, also the Indian test captain has showed glimpses of the potential he has in the group stages. Virat needs to be at his best if India wants to have high hopes this year. Surely he seems to have lady luck on his side.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane, another Mumbai boy brings much needed cool head in the dressing team. The boy from Dombivali got into the national squad due to consistent performances in the domestic circuit with an impressive average of 62.04. Rahane made his Test debut in the 2013 Border–Gavaskar Trophy against the Aussies and impressed one and all. Now, a regular the right handed middle order batsman hopes to leaves a mark this year.

Suresh Raina

Raina offers the batting stability in the middle overs. This left handed southpaw is famous for his attacking strokes and is a specialist in the limited overs format. Raina comes from a middle class family in Ghaziabad, UP. He is an integral part of the ODI team since 2005 but made his test debut 5 years later. He is also a part time spin bowler who proves crucial at times.

M S Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is unarguably the best captain in the world. He is the only one to win the T20 World Cup, ICC World Cup and Champions Trophy. Dhoni doubles up as a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Many hail him as the best finisher of all time. But Captain Cool always sticks to his ground. Recently, MSD was blessed with a baby girl in February.  Dhoni will look to show his Midas touch again.

Ambati Rayudu

A talented batsman, Rayudu has performed solidly in his ODI appearances to date, securing an average of 45.66 at the end of 2014. Having earned a reputation as someone with the ability to finish off games from crunch situations, Rayudu scored his maiden ODI ton in November 2014 against Sri Lanka when he smashed an unbeaten 121 from 118 balls. Though not featuring in the playing XI, he should make a point given an opportunity.

Ravindra Jadeja

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has impressed many with his performances in limited-overs cricket since making his One-Day International debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka and has secured his place as a key player in the India ODI line-up. His athleticism in the field completes the package.  Fondly called “Sir” and “Rockstar”, he contributes with all he can. This is his first ICC Cricket World Cup.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin may appear quiet and unassuming but this off-spinner does plenty of damage with a cricket ball. He causes plenty of trouble for batsmen with his off-spin and variations; particularly with his carrom ball. Ashwin is also capable of inflicting damage with the bat and was an opening batsman before he took up off-spin. Ashwin was a member of India’s winning ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 squad but played second fiddle to Harbhajan Singh at the tournament. He will be eager to make his mark on the championship this time around.

Axar Patel

Not many people had heard of Axar Patel before some excellent domestic performances in 2014 brought the off-spinner to the attention of national selectors.Patel, who was also one of the key players in India under-23s’ title win in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2013 and also the IPL, was chosen for his One-Day International debut against Bangladesh in June 2014. He has as a backup for his Baroda counterpart Jadeja till now.

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi is one of the opening bowlers for India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar can cause plenty of headaches for batsmen with his ability to swing the ball prodigiously both ways at pace. He first made himself known playing for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket when good form thrust him into the sights of the India selectors. He is also a handy batter in India’s lower order. It is still early days for the bowler whose best is likely yet to come.

Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma was a late inclusion in India’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 squad after Ishant Sharma suffered a knee injury. Right-arm bowler Sharma broke into India’s ODI team in mid-2013 after consistent performances in domestic cricket. The Haryana bowler will not affect his late inclusion to have any effect in his performances.

Stuart Binny

Following in the footsteps of his father, former Indian allrounder Roger Binny, Stuart Binny has proven to be useful in the same discipline since breaking into the first-class scene in 2003-04. His success has mainly come in limited-overs cricket including consistent performances in the Indian Premier League and in domestic cricket where his medium pace bowling has been combined with his big-hitting abilities.

Mohammed Shami

Since making his one-day international debut at the start of January 2013, fast bowler Mohammad Shami has cemented himself in the India line-up, picking up 68 wickets in his first 36 outings. The bowler who plays for Bengal in Ranji has some lethal pace combined with swinging the white Kookabura in both ways.

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav is a pacer from Vidharbha. He started played cricket aged 19. Before becoming a professional cricketer, Umesh Yadav unsuccessfully applied to join the army and the police force.  He seems to have a great attitude and most importantly, he's a wicket-taking bowler. He's got that raw talent, good pace and can generate good bounce. He's got a lot going for him at the moment. These abilities shall supplement him in Australia.

The Knock-outs have started 
Come on India
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