Intro: The role of all-rounders is crucial for a team’s success. As the countdown to the World Cup 2015 begins, the participating teams emphasise on players who can do well with both bat and ball.
When it comes to cricket all-rounders play a vital role in a team’s success and this time too everybody is eyeing on all-rounders for success in World Cup 2015.
In one day format, teams always give emphasis on players who can do well with both bat and ball. If you go through the history of World Cup from 1975 to 2011, the team that has won has had an all-rounder, who played a key role in winning World Cup for their respective team. From Mohinder Amarnath’s legendary performance in the finals of 1983 World Cup to Imran Khan’s brilliant performance in 1992 to Yuvraj Singh’s exceptional performance in 2011 World Cup, the importance of all-rounders cannot be undermined.
Hence, it will not be wrong to say that this time too all-rounders will decide which team will don the crown of World Cup 2015.
List of probable game changers for World Cup 2015
Australia
Four-time World Cup champions and No.1 ODI team in the world, Australia with all-rounders like James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell and Marsh will be one of the top contenders this season.
India
Being a good one day side, India has a chance to
regain World Cup. India’s performance in recent days has not been upto the mark but with all-rounders like, Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel, Indian team can turn the tide in their favour. Ravindra Jadeja’s good show with both ball and bat makes him one of the most shouted all-rounders in international cricket. Binny’s sudden call in World Cup squad has though raised eyebrows but his all-round capabilities may prove his critics wrong.
Pakistan
No one can forget the all-round performance of legendary Imran Khan (inning of 72 runs and 1 wicket) in World Cup final of 1992. If Pakistan wants to repeat history then somebody has to play like him and the only other player who comes in mind is Shahid Afridi. His ability to smash quick runs and getting wickets is a bonus for the Pakistani side. He can definitely be the game changer for Pakistan.
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladeshi cricketer is the leading all-rounder in all three forms of the game in the ICC rankings. Shakib's performance will decide the fortune of Bangladesh in World Cup.
West Indies
The team, currently ranked eighth in the ODIs, will be led by Jason Holder following a surprise omission of their regular captain Dwayne Bravo.Two times World Cup winner, the team has players like Chris Gayle and many more who can turn the game on their side anytime. But in absence of all-rounders like Dwayne Bravo and Pollard, the former West Indies all rounder skipper Darren Sammy, one of the best all-rounder in modern day cricket, Dwayne Smith and Andre Russel have to perform well with bat and ball to make a place in the
World Cup.
Sri Lanka
Angelo Matthews, a consistent medium-pacer and handy batsman has transformed himself into one of the world’s best cricketers. Matthews is well known for his compact batting technique and consistent fast-medium bowling. This man will definitely play the role of game changer for Sri Lanka in World Cup.
New Zealand
All rounder Corey Anderson, one of the big players of New Zealand will play a crucial role in World Cup 2015. His explosive batting can turn the course of the match within few overs with his powerhitting skills. He is a useful left arm medium fast bowler who bowls with good line and length, and his slow delivery often deceives the batsman easily.
England
Moeen Ali, an English cricketer of Pakistani descent started his career as a batsman but his off-breaks is so marked that he was made England’s frontline spinner.
Conclusion
Now, we have to wait and watch to see how the teams use their all-rounders to win World Cup like MS Dhoni did with Yuvraj Singh in World Cup 2011.
-Nishant Kumar Azad
