World Cup 2019: First choice XI of all teams

While selecting 15-man squads most of the teams had surprise packages and the Playing XI of all teams are beefed up to kickstart their campaign on winning note.

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Indian team, World Cup, World Cup 2019
info
Indian team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The World Cup is such a big tournament where every mistake will be accountable. There is no room for mistakes, and the team has to be clear with their approach. With 2019 edition of the World Cup just around the corner, every team has been working hard to come up with the best team combinations. Every team has been figuring out for their better tactics since the last 2 years.

The first step to a correct path is to choose the correct playing XI who fits in the team analytics and their combinations should work make some mark on the team’s progressive output. Different players have different strengths and it is necessary to choose in-form and the right players. On this note, let us take a look at the best possible playing XI for every team

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka ODI
Sri Lanka ODI. (Photo Source: Twitter)

For the Lankans, it has been tough recent past as they lost eight of their last nine one-dayers. They have been struggling with the team combinations and a lot of controversies dogged the team. The instability in their team has been the biggest reason for that. Avishka Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne in all probabilities will open for them. Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera would be their number three and four respectively.

Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera would be the three all-rounders in the squad, though only Perera looks threatening. He was the lone reason for the team to smile last year when it was going through its most dismal run in history. A lot will depend on how he fares in the tournament.

The bowling of the team looks good. The team enjoys the services of Nuvan Pradeep, Isuru Udana and Lasith Malinga in the fast bowling department. Especially Malinga was superb in the recently concluded IPL. The veteran was handy both in the powerplay and death overs. The duty of spin bowling would be shared between Dhananjaya De Silva and Jeevan Mendis.

Playing XI: Avishka Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan
Afghanistan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Afghanistan goes into the tournament as an underdog, but their rise in the past two years has been a shocker for most of the cricket fans. They have built a strong core and posses the ability to challenge big 4 teams with their spin trio’s dominance. Mohammed Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai would mostly open for the Men in Dark Blue. They would be followed by Rahmat Shah and Hashtamullah Shahidi, who has been in good touch in the warm-up matches so far.

Skipper Gulbadin Naib, Mohammed Nabi and Rashid Khan would be the three bowling all-rounders in the team. They are the genuine all-rounders — bowlers who can give you 10 overs and batsmen who can provide finishing touches.

The bowling is dominated by the spin trio of Rashid, Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. They are versatile bowlers who different tricks up their sleeves. Hamid Hassan and Dawlat Zadran would be the two pacers, and Gulbadin Naib would play a helping hand in this job.

Playing XI: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan.

India

Indian team, World Cup, World Cup 2019
Indian team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Anything less than the tournament finals should disappoint the men-in-blue. They have very few loopholes and the team looks perfectly balanced on paper. A lot would depend on their top three which comprises the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and skipper Virat Kohli. These three have scored 62% of the total runs since 2015, and won’t leave any stone unturned to contribute for the team.

The middle order though looks a bit brittle. KL Rahul might get the duty to bat at number four in the initial matches, due to a better form. MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, and Hardik Pandya would follow him. Hardik and Kedar would also share the duty of the fifth bowler.

For the first time, India’s bowling looks equally threatening as their batting. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal would share the duty of spin. The onus would be on them to scalp wickets during the middle overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami would share the duty of fast bowling.

Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

England

England
England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

England head into the tournament with the burden of high expectations. They have got one of the best squads on the paper, and their performance in the recent past completely justify their tag of favourites. Their top five consists of the likes of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, and Jos Buttler, something which would frighten even the best bowling attack in the world.

Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali further provide depth to their batting. These two genuine all-rounders can give you 10 overs as well, which would provide Morgan with a lot of help if any of the main bowlers have a tough day at the office.

Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett and Jofra Archer would share the duties of fast bowling. Adil Rashid would be the lone leg-spinner. Overall the team enjoys the services of 8 batsmen and 6 bowlers, which speaks volumes about the depth and balance of the team.

Playing XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

Australia

Australia
Australia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Since the redrafting of David Warner and Steve Smith in the squad, the team has started to look pretty dangerous and competitive. Their bans allowed the team to test other players and proved to be a blessing in disguise. Aaron Finch and David Warner would be the openers, followed by Steve Smith. The number four would be a spot of contention, but Usman Khawaja should get a nod over Shaun Marsh in the initial games.

Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell would be the two all-rounders in the team. They will together share the duty of the fifth bowler as well. The team enjoys the services of three excellent fast bowlers in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff. Adam Zampa would be the lone spinner in the lineup.

Though this bunch of players hasn’t played a lot of cricket together, they should be able to comfortably make it to the semis. Gautam Gambhir has even picked them as his favourites to lift the trophy.

Playing XI: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

New Zealand

New Zealand team
New Zealand team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

New Zealand must be high on confidence after defeating India in the warm-up game. They are one of the contenders for the fourth semis berth, but the road won’t be easy for them. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham would be the openers, although the latter’s fitness would be under the scanner.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor would follow them. Although Williamson has gone through a rough patch, one can expect him to come back strongly. Ross Taylor has been in a nice touch, and the team would hope that he carries this form in the World Cup as well. Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham would be the two all-rounders. They are proven finishers. Besides this, they will also do the job of the fifth bowler.

Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi would share the duty of spin. The onus of fast bowling would be on Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Trent Boult, in particular, has been in red-hot form. He had scalped four wickets in the warm-up match against India and would be riding on this confidence.

Playing XI: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

South Africa

South Africa's new kit
South Africa’s new kit. (Photo Source: Twitter)

South Africa has the potential to be the dark horses in this edition of the World Cup. They had done extraordinarily well in the recent past. Quinton de Kock was fabulous in the recently concluded IPL. Hashim Amla’s form has been a matter of concern but his experience is vital for the team. Faf du Plessis and David Miller have been in good form as well.

However, Rassie Van der Dussen could turn out to be the biggest surprise. The new entrant has stolen the limelight in the recent past for his excellent stats. He has smashed four half-centuries in nine matches and averages 88.25. Andile Phelukwayo and JP Duminy would be the two all-rounders in the squad.

The job of fast bowling would be shared by the deadly pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi. Their form would be crucial in the team’s chances at the mega-event. Imran Tahir will be the lone leg-spinner in the lineup. He was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded IPL and would be eager to make his last appearance at the world cup count.

Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phelukwayo, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Pakistan

Pakistan
Pakistan official jersey for 2019 World Cup. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan looks an average team on the paper. However, the form of their main players hasn’t helped them to bring out positive outputs. They were whitewashed 4-0 by England and then thrashed by Afganistan in the warm-up match. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq would open for them. These two have scored 50 per cent of the runs for the team and would be crucial if Pakistan has any chance.

The middle order comprises of Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Khan, but inconsistency and poor form has made it look vulnerable. There is no power-hitter in the middle order, and that is bound to haunt them. Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan would be the two spinners in the team. Wasim was one of the biggest positives in Pakistan’s series against England.

Hasan Ali, Mohammed Amir, and Shaheen Afridi should be the three frontline pacers in the team. Wahab Riaz last played an ODI in 2017 and might not be preferred in the initial games.

Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi.

West Indies

Windies
Windies. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

With the arrival of the big stars back in their setup, the West Indian fans can expect for a turnaround in their fortunes. They had stunned the world when they defeated England in a test series and then tied the ODI series 2-2. Chris Gayle was the hero of that tied series and the veteran won’t leave any stone unturned to make his last appearance at world cup a memorable one. He would open with Shai Hope.

Shai Hope was the man-of-series in the recent tri-series. Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran are other young talents to watch out for. IPL exposure will help these two to perform even better. They will be followed by Andre Russell, the person who had scored 500+ runs in IPL at a strike rate crossing 200. If he can replicate that performance in this tourney, then Windies can ruin any opposition.

However, the bowling of the team looks weak. Shannon Gabriel and Sheldon Cotrell would be the two pacers, whereas Fabien Allen and Ashley Nurse would share the spin duty.

Playing XI: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Jason Holder (c), Fabien Allen, Ashley Nurse, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh team
Bangladesh team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Bangladesh is another underdog, but they can spoil the party. They have preferred to go with an experienced squad, where Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal would open for them. Soumya has scored three half-centuries on a trot while Tamim having scored 5 half tons in last nine international appearances.

Mohammad Mithun and Mushfiqur Rahim would follow these two. Mahmadullah and Shakib Al Hasan hold the key in the lower middle order. The onus will be on them to accumulate as maximum runs in the death overs.

However, the bowling of the team isn’t very eye-catching. Mustafizur Rahman would be the key pacer, and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Saifuddin would assist him in this job. Mosaddek Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan would be the three spinners.

Playing XI: Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahman.

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