Virat Kohli will go into his third World Cup as the best batsman in world cricket at the moment. He has scored a mountain of runs in ODI cricket (4306 to be precise at an average of 78.29, with 19 centuries) in the four years between the last and the upcoming World Cup, achieving a level of consistency that has seldom been matched in any generation since the introduction of one-day cricket in 1974. Ricky Ponting said recently that “if Kohli has a good World Cup, India will win”, and the spotlight will certainly be on the 30-year-old.

Rohit Sharma’s India career took off when India’s former captain M. S. Dhoni promoted him to open the batting before the 2013 edition of Champions Trophy. He had managed meagre returns as a middle-order batsman, albeit he played some crucial innings batting in the middle order, including scoring back to back centuries in a tri-series in Zimbabwe in 2010. But 75 per cent of Rohit’s one-day career runs have come when he has opened the batting and 20 of his 22 ODI centuries have also come as an opener. Playing his second World Cup, Rohit will be a key to India’s chances of winning the quadrennial tournament.

Shikhar Dhawan made his ODI and international debut for India in 2010 and has been an everpresent in the Indian limited-overs teams since 2013. The Champions Trophy that year was the tournament in which he announced himself as an ODI batsman, finishing as the highest run-scorer (363 runs in five innings) and playing an integral role in India lifting the trophy. He again proved himself to be a man for the big occasion by scoring 412 runs in eight innings at the 2015 World Cup, with his 137 against South Africa in Melbourne a standout performance. Given his record in ICC tournaments and ability to churn out runs consistently, Dhawan will be key to India’s chances of winning the 2019 World Cup.

K. L. Rahul made his international debut in December 2014 and his copious talent with the bat has been evident on many occasions, particularly in Twenty20 and Test cricket. When he plays the backfoot punch through the covers, drives on the up through mid-off and extra cover with a high front elbow, it’s difficult not to be in awe. But, as India’s batting coach, Sanjay Bangar, once said, Rahul has tended to “find new ways to get out”, which perhaps explains his relatively low batting averages and lack of consistency in Test and ODI cricket, while he’s been most successful in T20I cricket. However, he’s relatively new to ODI cricket, having played only 13 ODIs (which have also been spread over three years), and Rahul’s selection in India’s 2019 World Cup squad is a reminder of the backing he has for his talent, which must translate into performances sooner than later.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar burst onto the scene in 2012 as an out-and-out swing bowler who the then-captain M. S. Dhoni used predominantly with the new ball. The UP seamer has always had the gift of moving the ball both ways, but the lack of pace made him one-dimensional. He showed signs of transformation to a well-rounded bowler in IPL 2016, finishing the tournament as the highest wicket-taker and playing a massive role in Sunrisers Hyderabad winning the trophy. The numbers also suggest that he is an improved bowler than when he burst into the national side: 58 of his 118 ODI career wickets have come in the last three years with him bowling a lot more at the death as well. The 29-year-old has shown, on more than one occasion, that he’s a handy lower-order batsman who can help India win close, low-scoring matches.

Jasprit Bumrah’s rise to being India’s bowling spearhead has been rapid. He made his ODI debut only in January 2016, but he soon became India’s most dependable bowler, who has continued to get better with every match at the international level. His bowling performances in South Africa, England and Australia in the last 15 months have been particularly impressive. His ability to nail the yorker and bowl one at will, and hurry and unsettle the batsman with his explosive and unusual action make him a difficult bowler to face for any batsman. Combined with his unique bowling skills is his unflappable demeanour, which makes him capable of delivering the goods in high-pressure situations and the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli.

Mohammed Shami is a complete fast bowler. His skill set allows him to be effective even when a pitch offers little assistance. A bowler who swings the ball and hurries the batsmen when he bowls on a good or back-of-good length, Shami, when he’s consistent, can be disconcerting to face for any batsman. Injuries and fitness issues have disallowed the Bengal pacer from being an all-formats bowler for India, but the year 2019 has seen the best of Shami in Test and ODI cricket. He justified his recall to the Indian one-day side with good performances against Australia (home and away) and was lethal in helpful conditions in New Zealand as well. His rise to being India’s No. 2 bowler in ODIs has been rapid, having been on the fringes for the most part of the post-World Cup 2015 period.

Kuldeep Yadav has been a big part of India’s transformation as a one-day outfit in the last two years. India, for a large part of 2015 (post-World Cup), 2016 and until the Champions Trophy in mid-2017, struggled for wickets in the middle overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja unable to replicate their potency from the Test format and, on occasions, proving expensive as well. Kuldeep has delivered wickets consistently since his ODI debut in July 2017 and his partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal has helped India strangle opposition during what has become the most important phase of an ODI innings (overs 11 to 40). Previous line can be phrased better. Left-arm chinaman bowlers are still few and far, but Kuldeep stands above the likes of Lakshan Sandakan and Tabraiz Shamsi because of greater control over his stock delivery and his ability to exert pressure by being consistent with his line and length.

Yuzvendra Chahal has been as important to India’s success in ODIs as his spin twin Kuldeep Yadav. Both have formed a formidable partnership in the period since the 2017 Champions Trophy, with Ashwin and Jadeja dropping out of favour. By his own admission, Chahal has benefited from playing a lot of IPL cricket for Royal Challengers Bangalore at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where spinners (and bowlers, in general) have little margin for error given the relatively smaller boundary. While he often bowls the right trajectory to ensure he turns the ball while making sure the batsmen don’t get after him, the 28-year-old has, of late, tended to bowl a lot flatter and quicker. That has resulted in the wickets drying up and him losing his place in the XI. Chahal, though, remains a key 2component in India’s ODI setup.

Ravindra Jadeja broke into the national team as an immensely-talented all-rounder. He was part of India’s under-19 World Cup-winning team, led by Virat Kohli, in 2008. He was then part of Rajasthan Royals IPL-winning team in the same year and, a year later, was rewarded with India debut. Jadeja hasn’t always set the stage on fire in limited-overs cricket, with his accurate left-arm orthodox spin not quite delivering the wickets with the level of consistency it usually does in Test cricket. Batting at No. 8, Jadeja hasn’t always scored runs his batting ability and technique suggest he should be able to, but he remains an indispensable member of the Indian side thanks to his being an all-rounder.

Kedar Jadhav made his India debut in 2014, but the surge from a fringe to a key player began in October 2016, when Suresh Raina missed a home ODI (in Dharamsala) against New Zealand due to viral fever. Jadhav took two for six in three overs in that match and, apart from missing a handful of matches due to hamstring and muscle injuries, has been a regular in the Indian one-day team ever since. He has consistently delivered in his role as a lower middle-order batsman and fifth bowler. Jadhav has turned around the course of many ODI matches with his round-arm off-spin, while he has won matches with the bat too with his calm head and ball-striking ability.

Hardik Pandya has been a key figure in India’s renaissance as a one-day outfit since mid-2016. Increased pace and potency have made him India’s third seamer, while Hardik has always been a dangerous batsman with his ball-striking ability lower down the order. The 25-year-old goes into the 2019 World Cup with a wealth of experience at the international level but also with huge expectations as a result of his three-dimensional skill set. He hasn’t played much international cricket leading up to the quadrennial tournament, his last ODI coming way back in February on the tour of New Zealand. But as someone who loves the big stage, Hardik will no doubt be looking forward to his maiden World Cup with the national team.

Vijay Shankar earned his maiden India call-up, first for the Twenty20 team, six years after he made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu. Shankar’s destiny would have it that, in 2016, a knee injury picked up on India A duty gave contemporary Hardik Pandya a chance to put his name up for the national call-up. And, three years later, Pandya’s misogynistic comments on a TV show brought him an indefinite suspension from the BCCI and he was replaced in the Indian ODI squad for a three-match series in Australia by Shankar. He made his ODI debut in the third match of the series, but made a real impact in the following tour of New Zealand and when Australia visited India in March. Shankar won the faith of the Indian team management and the national selectors with his textbook-style batting, useful medium-pace bowling and athletic fielding, to earn the ticket to the 2019 World Cup.

The 2019 World Cup will likely be MS Dhoni’s last major tournament in the 50-over format, which has showcased the very best of Dhoni the batsman. His unbeaten 91 in the 2011 World Cup final, walking in to bat with India in a tight corner chasing 271 for victory, is a testament to Dhoni’s brilliance as a one-day batsman. No other batsman even comes close to his batting average in successful run-chases (105.25) and his ability to read situations and conditions is second to none. Dhoni’s tactical astuteness, unique and effective glovework behind the stumps and the undiminished ability to finish off matches (which has been evident on more than one occasion this year) makes him an important player in this dynamic Indian one-day team.

Dinesh Karthik is the senior-most member of the national team, having made his India debut before M. S. Dhoni in 2004. However, Karthik has not been able to nail down his spot in any Indian team and his international appearances, for a player who’s been around for 15 years, have been sporadic at best. His role in the team has morphed massively too, over the years. Having come into the reckoning as a wicketkeeper-batsman who was technically sound with the gloves and with the bat, Karthik currently plays as a specialist batsman whenever he’s picked in the XI. Being named in India’s 2019 World Cup squad ahead of Rishabh Pant raised a few eyebrows, but Karthik has the experience and temperament to justify his place.

The New Zealand captain is considered to be among the best batsmen of his era, alongside the likes of Virat Kohli, Joe Root and Steve Smith. And he could retire as New Zealand’s finest, above the legendary Martin Crowe. His technical prowess - equally adept against spin and fast bowling - and classy strokes, make him a purist’s delight. Yet, he’s easily able to switch between formats and produced some fine knock in both ODIs and T20s. The Black Caps will pray that his shoulder injury does not relapse after he struggled in the recent IPL with the same.

Who can forget the right-hander’s unbeaten 237 off 163 balls against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup? One of the few openers who can single-handedly destroy opponents, Guptill is also a supreme athlete in the field and can hit the stumps from a distance. Despite a minor blip in form during the home series against India, Guptill has regained his touch in the series against Bangladesh by smashing two hundreds. Him alongside Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson will be shouldering the batting responsibility in his third World Cup.

Playing in his fourth World Cup, Taylor is the oldest player in the squad and brings in a wealth of experience batting at No.4. The former Kiwi captain possesses an unorthodox technique but great hand-eye coordination that results in some freewheeling strokeplay. Taylor also arrives at the tournament with a staggering average of 84.33 in the past twelve months, which is only bettered by India’s Virat Kohli and is also the most consistent Kiwi batsman in the current team. Watch out for his tongue-out celebration when he scores a century – a special gesture for his daughter Mackenzie and his son Jonty.

An aggressive opener with three T20I centuries (only bettered by Rohit Sharma), Colin Munro is a T20 trump card. The left-hander also has the fastest fifty by a Kiwi batsman when he scored it in 14 balls in the T20I against Sri Lanka. But a string of consistent performances in the 50-over format over the last two years, has seen him earn a spot as the ideal opening partner for Martin Guptill. And yet, he’s not a one-dimensional player. He’s also got a tricky medium-pace delivery that works on sluggish tracks.

Nicholls has become a reliable middle-order option for New Zealand in white-ball cricket. Coming anywhere between 3 and 5, he’s been consistent with his contributions. Sound technique, elegant strokeplay and the ability to pick up the pace at will makes him an important part of the squad. He has also opened the innings alongside Martin Guptill on various occasions, but is the most effective while batting at No.3.

Boult's ability to swing the ball both ways at pace consistently, has made him one of the best left-arm pacers of this era. He initially impressed in Tests, but the ability to swing the new ball and cleverly mix it up in the death overs earned him a spot in the 2015 World Cup squad. He vindicated that by finishing as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets as New Zealand reached its first ever World Cup final. Boult has been excellent over the past season scalping 43 wickets in 22 matches, placing him second in the ODI bowler rankings.

Southee became the spearhead of the New Zealand attack a few years after a ‘Man of the Tournament’ finish at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. His outswingers are a trademark but he’s got a vast range of deliveries- a testament to his ability to adapt to any kind of surface and situation quickly, which had made him dangerous with the new and old ball. He is also a handy batsman in slog overs. Injuries have led to a dip in pace but he’s adapted to that too. Besides, his experience and composure on the field will be invaluable for the Kiwis.

Raw pace (and lately the handlebar moustache) defines Lockie Ferguson. He has only played 27 matches for New Zealand and hasn't yet hit heights he's been predicted to. But his ability to consistently bowl at blistering speeds makes him a valuable asset. He made his international debut in December 2016 replacing an injured Adam Milne after a couple of good seasons in the first-class circuit, where he picked up 21 and 31 wickets.

The Ludhiana-born wrist spinner’s talent was noticed at an early age, with Sodhi making his Test debut for New Zealand at the age of 19. He fell out of favour in red-ball cricket and shifted his focus to limited overs where, alongside Santner, has been a raging success. He still plays the odd Test, but his value as a wrist spinner shines through in limited-overs cricket which is becoming more and more batting friendly.

Another devastating pacer in the New Zealand ranks, Matt Henry has often been compared to Shane Bond from the latter's earlier days. He impressed in his ODI debut against India, picking up 4-38. He was brought on as the injured Adam Milne's replacement for the 2015 World Cup semifinals and finals and has since then featured regularly for the Black Caps with the white ball. His ability to generate seam movement at good pace makes him a potential weapon in England. He picked up 27 wickets in his first three matches for Kent in the County second division last year.

Colin de Grandhomme, who represented Zimbabwe in the 2004 U-19 World Cup before moving to New Zealand, is a handy cricketer to have in your side. The limited over format suits him - an explosive batsman lower down the order with superior ball-striking abilities and a utility bowler who can generate quite a bit of movement on greenish tracks even at medium pace. His 6-41 against Pakistan in Christchurch on his T20I debut broke a 65-year old He'll find a lot of that in England.

Jimmy Neesham is another all-rounder New Zealand can bank on, especially when they need quick runs in the final overs. The left-handed batsman has maintained a strike rate of over a run-a-ball in ODIs and has the ability to get those big overs and see his team across the line. His right-arm medium-pace has proved effective in the middle overs and has gotten crucial wickets, breaking blossoming partnerships.

In Mitchell Santner, New Zealand has a like-for-like replacement for Daniel Vettori, who retired in 2015. Like Vettori, the left-arm orthodox spinner has got an exceptional economy rate and has often proven to be an effective batsman lower down the order, with some big shots in his kitty. Santner, who is a bigger turner of the ball than Vettori, can choke the run-rate in the middle overs. His batting has dipped recently, but his potential with bat and ball will will come in handy in England.

The son of former New Zealand cricketer Rod Latham, Tom is a left-handed batsman and looks like his team's first-choice wicketkeeper for the World Cup. Latham was one of the biggest talents that emerged from the 2010 Under-19 World Cup making his international debut aged 19. More prolific in Tests, he'd established himself as a classic Test opener. His spot as opener in ODIs however was lost to Colin Munro who emerged as the more effective option, slotting Latham in the middle order.

After having featured in the New Zealand U-19 World Cup squad in 2010, Blundell had to wait till 2017 to get his maiden national team call-up. He made his T20I debut against Bangladesh replacing an injured Luke Ronchi. He also became the fourth keeper-batsman in history to score a hundred on his Test debut, when he smashed an unbeaten 107 against West Indies at Wellington. He was also a part of the ODI squad for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy against Australia. He has been impressive in the domestic circuit, helping Wellington win Super Smash T20 tournament.

England skipper Eoin Morgan had told Sky Sports in 2018 that he would not think twice before dropping himself from the World Cup squad if that gave the team a better chance of winning the title. Morgan has been at the helm of a unit which has, in the year gone by, transformed into a force to reckon with. In the recently concluded series against the Windies, Morgan inflicted misery on the opposition bowlers, his clinical century at St. George’s being the highlight.

Often opening the innings with Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy is a quality striker of the ball. A perfect start to 2019 saw him amass a fiery 65-ball century against the West Indies in Barbados. Former English cricketer Mark Butcher, in an interview with Sky Sports, had said he believes the Surrey batsman could be the Three Lions’ solution at No 3.

Joe Root has shown the ability to switch gears in the shorter format, adapting effortlessly to varying match situations. His two consecutive hundreds against India in 2018 earned him the 'Man of the Series' award. Hopeful of a successful run in the 50-over tournament, Root said if he wins the World Cup, it can bring a feel-good factor into the Ashes series.

James Vince took the place of Alex Hales, who was dropped for failing a second recreational drugs test. In 2015, he made his England one-day debut against Ireland in May and was later named as captain of the Lions T20 squad to face Pakistan A in Dubai in December.

England has a long line of talented pacers, who have been performing extremely well over the last couple of years. Woakes, who debuted for England in 2011, has been a regular feature in the ODI side. He has 126 wickets in 88 ODIs, and has been one of England's pace spearheads.

England’s leading wicket-taker in the last one year, Adil Rashid was called back to the squad six years after making his debut post England’s sorry show at the 2015 World Cup. One or two tight overs and a few wickets in between normally make things easier for his fellow bowlers. Rashid's performances have been delivered at a time when England is short of spin options. The slow bowler can prove to be a key weapon on wickets baked dry by the country's ongoing heatwave.

Slow left-armer Liam Dawson has been selected ahead of Kent's utility man Joe Denly despite missing out on this month's 4-0 drubbing of Pakistan with a side strain. Dawson, 29, has not featured for England since October but has been in good form this season, claiming 18 wickets for his county.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer's whirlwind rise continued when he was named in England's 15-man World Cup squad having appeared in only three one-day internationals. The 24-year-old, born in Barbados and who represented West Indies at Under-19 level, was not in England's provisional squad and only made his ODI debut little over a fortnight ago.

Liam Plunkett, who made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 2005, is one of the senior-most in the 15-man England squad. A lack of England engagements seemed to come to an end following England’s disastrous showing in the previous World Cup. He has an economy rate of under six, and is known for his big hitting abilities at the death. Plunkett has claimed 85 wickets at 28.43 in 53 matches since 2015 and will be skipper Eoin Morgan's go-to bowler.

Mark Wood has struggled with injuries. His ankle is a major concern going into the tournament. Wood hasn’t been a consistent a wicket-taker but on his day, could topple any world class batting order. He is an asset to the side, and is expected to operate in tandem with Jofra Archer.

The fiery England all-rounder can perform as the side’s best batsman, and then double up as an incisive bowler, finding the swing, hitting the deck, and providing necessary breakthroughs. Former England skipper Mike Atherton had once said, "That's such an impressive thing about Ben Stokes, he's always looking to get into a game. Even at the dullest moments of a session, he wants to get into the game and make a difference.”

Moeen Ali has been the glue that keeps England's middle order together. What increases his value is the additional off-spinning option he provides to skipper Eoin Morgan. Moeen’s rib injury, however, is a worry. But if coach Trevor Bayliss is to be believed he is recuperating well. “He’s fine,” Bayliss said. “Once upon a time you wouldn’t have even got it x-rayed, because it’s only a bruise.” If Moeen Ali is anywhere close to the form he displayed against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL during his 28-ball 66, he is going to be a menace for the opposition.

You simply cannot rule the Currans out! Although brother Sam failed to make it to the squad for the mega-event, both brothers have made rapid strides in white-ball cricket in the last one year. And it all runs in the family. Their grandfather played first-class cricket. Their father, Kevin, played ODIs for Zimbabwe and brother Ben is part of Northamptonshire’s squad this season. A seam bowler with decent pace , and a handy lower-middle order batsman, Tom will be a valuable asset going into the World Cup.

Son of former England wicketkeeper David Bairstow, Bairstow has been in scintillating form in the lead up to the tournament. His marauding 128 off 93 balls in Bristol helped England thrash a hapless Pakistan. Speaking to reporters after the match, Bairstow had said it was the experience of playing alongside the likes of Australia's David Warner in the Indian Premier League that helped him take his game to new heights.

Buttler is known for his power-hitting and has been instrumental in turning England into a formidable ODI outfit. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has 3531 runs in one-day internationals at a strike-rate of 119.57. In an 18-month period from mid-2014, Buttler held the record for what at the time were England's three fastest ODI centuries - against Sri Lanka at Lord's, New Zealand at Edgbaston and, Pakistan in Dubai.

One of the exciting young talents at the 2019 World Cup Zazai burst into limelight in February, 2019, when he registered the second-highest individual score in T20Is with an unbeaten 162 off 62 deliveries against Ireland. His knock enabled Afghanistan to register the highest-ever T20 total – 278 for 3. His batting exploits have lifted him to the seventh spot in the ICC rankings for T20I batsmen. Hazratullah has been in good form of late. He was the second-highest run-getter from his team in the recent ODI series against Ireland. He’s relatively new to international cricket, having debuted in 2018.

Shahidi debuted in 2013 but he has played much ODI cricket in the past three years. He can strike the ball hard, especially down the ground and through the leg-side. In the Asia Cup, he emerged as the second-highest run-getter from his side scoring three half-centuries in the tourney, including an unbeaten 97 against Pakistan albeit in a losing cause. He played three matches in the recent five-match ODI series against Ireland, and scored a half-century as Afghanistan drew the series 2-2.

Formerly known as Asghar Stanikzai, Asghar Afghan's stoic, unruffled presence is key for Afghanistan’s middle-order. Despite the uproar following his sacking as the team’s captain, Afghan remained nonchalant and continued with three half-centuries in a row in the ODI series against Ireland in March, 2019, emerging as the highest run-getter in the series with an average of 75.33. He led his side to its first-ever Test win later that month, scoring 67 in the only innings he played.

The lower middle-order batsman is capable of hitting the ball all around the ground and is a fan-favorite for his stylish strokeplay. His presence adds depth and stability to the batting order as he can mend a top-order collapse without losing sight of the target. He has been around in international cricket for the last seven years but registered his first ODI century in March, 2019, smashing an unbeaten 104 off 98 deliveries against Ireland. This will be his second World Cup having played in 2015, too.

Noor Ali is a flamboyant right-hand opening batsman who has been playing for Afghanistan since 2009, overseeing its rapid rise in international cricket. However, he wasn’t part of the team when it participated in its first World Cup – in 2015. Noor Ali likes the ball coming on to the bat, and can play cuts, pulls, flicks and drives stylishly. Noor Ali has been absent from ODIs since December, 2017 and returned to Afghanistan’s playing XI in one of the five ODIs against Ireland in March, 2019, scoring nine runs. Noor Ali is the uncle of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the leg-spinner.

Dawlat Zadran is a genuine fast bowler who generates pace with an action resembling Pakistani great Waqar Younis. He became the third Afghanistan bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets when he dismissed Ireland’s Tim Murtagh at Dehradun. One of the senior members of the squad, Dawlat was unlucky to miss out on a Test debut when Afghanistan played its maiden Test match against India in June, 2018. He can also be useful with the bat at No. 10 as he showcased it in the ODI against Zimbabwe in 2014 by smashing four sixes off the final seven balls to win the match for Afghanistan.

Only 18, Mujeeb has been a revelation in his short career so far. He can bowl off-spin, leg-spin, and the googly. In March, 2019, in the One-Day International series against Ireland, he became the second fastest Afghanistan bowler – after Rashid Khan – and the 14th fastest overall, to get to 50 wickets in ODIs. Mujeeb was the highest wicket-taker from his side in that series, taking seven wickets from five matches. With his inclusion, Afghanistan has a quality spin trio alongside Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.

Aftab Alam made his international debut in the 2010 ODI against Canada after finishing as Afghanistan Under 19 team’s best bowler with 12 wickets at the Youth World Cup in New Zealand in the same year. However, he became a regular in the senior squad since 2015 after good performances in the Tri-series against Ireland and Scotland. In the only match he played in the recent ODI series against Ireland, Alam took four wickets to hand Afghanistan a big win. It was his first and so far his only four-wicket haul in ODIs.

Hamid Hassan is someone who is instantly recognisable with his matching bandana and the Afghanistan’s flag colors pasted on his cheeks. After being spotted by former Marylebone Cricket Club president Robin Marlar during a match between MCC and Afghanistan, Hassan became a part of Lord’s ground staff and then played for England’s domestic side Norden CC. His experience has helped Afghanistan qualify for the 2010 World T20 in West Indies. Despite being sidelined since July, 2016 Hameed earned his place with some good performances in the domestic limited-overs cricket.

Since having made his ODI debut in 2015, Rashid Khan has had a mercurial rise in elite-level cricket. He is a leg-spinner but not of the classical variety – he doesn’t spin the ball much, and relies a lot on his googly. Such has been his success that he became the fastest to 100 ODI wickets in March, 2018. In ODIs, he possesses an impressive economy-rate of 3.90 in 57 matches. He took five wickets in the recent ODI series against Ireland. In the Test match held after the series, he took five wickets to help his side claim a historic seven-wicket win.

Mohammad Nabi, an all-rounder, is another stalwart for Afghanistan with lots of experience. Known for his calm, unruffled disposition, Nabi led the side in its maiden World Cup, in 2015, overseeing a memorable campaign in which it defeated Scotland to register its first and so far only win in World Cups. Nabi has been in good form -- playing vital knocks down the order and picking vital wickets with his off-spin for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2019. In the ODI series against Ireland in March, 2019, he took four wickets in four bowling innings, and scored 130 runs.

Naib has been a part of Afghanistan’s meteoric rise in cricket in the last decade albeit as a bench player despite making his international debut in 2011. However, he has become a regular in the side since the 2017 series against Zimbabwe and has been a utility player with his explosive cameos in batting and medium-pace. Naib will lead his side in the World Cup as the side’s new ODI captain, following the controversial ousting of regular captain Asghar Afghan. In ODIs, Naib’s last score of 50 or more was in August, 2018, against Ireland but his bowling performances against the Irish in the recent series in February have helped Afghanistan level the series 2-2.

One of the best players of the pull shot in the Afghanistan team, Shah is not afraid to step down the track to spinners. He played a big hand in Afghanistan’s first-ever Test win against Ireland in March, 2019, scoring two half-centuries, including a 98. He scored a half-century in five ODIs against Ireland in the same month. In ODIs, Shah’s last three years have been fruitful. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, he ensured a batting average of 38.00 or higher. He was the fourth-highest run-getter in a domestic List A competition in July, 2018.

A batsman who bats in the lower half of the batting order, and a leg-spinner, Samiullah Shinwari has also been around for long for Afghanistan. He is capable of playing clean slogs to provide quick runs for his team. In the 2015 World Cup, he played a big role in Afghanistan’s first and only win in the competition, against Scotland. He scored 96 to keep his side afloat in the chase of 211 despite wickets falling all around him. It remains his highest score in ODIs. He has not scored a single half-century in the format, however, in the last two years.

In limited-overs cricket, he is known for his rapid run-making, a cavalier spirit and boundless enthusiasm. The portly cricketer has been prominent for Afghanistan in the last decade, having played 79 ODIs and 65 T20Is since having begun his career in 2009. Despite the paucity of fixtures with elite cricketing nations, Shahzad has shown he can make runs against the best of teams. In September, 2018, against India at the Asia Cup, he scored his fifth century in ODIs; the knock of 124 helped his team secure a tie. Two months later, he smashed an unbeaten 74 off 16 deliveries in a T10 contest in Sharjah.

After struggling to score for more than a year, the Australian ODI captain got his mojo back just ahead of the World Cup. The Victorian batsman’s resurgence started with match-winning 93 against India in Ranchi, and looked more confident at the top of the order scoring two consecutive tons against Pakistan in March. He sent a warning to the all the bowlers at the World Cup as he amassed 451 runs in five matches at an average of 112.75. Finch’s strengths include getting off to a blitzy start and an ability to evenly pace his innings to a devastating effect. Get him out early or suffer for an innings which could feel like an eternity.

One of the deadliest openers in world cricket, Warner will be making his comeback into the Australian side after a one-year ban for ball tampering. The 32-year-old has been the country's most reliable opening option across all formats of the game. He captured the world's attention when he made his debut with a 43-ball 83 in the T20I against South Africa without playing a single first-class match prior to that. The ban doesn't seem to have affected his quality of cricket as the explosive left-hander has been leading the IPL scoring charts by a mile.

Steven Smith took responsbility for the ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australian cricket last year and found himself serving a ban alongide David Warner. He now returns to the side to help Australia defend the title. Starting out as a leg-spinner who could occassionally wield the willow, Smith soon transformed into the world’s No.1 Test batsman by 2015 with some gritty performances under his belt. Though there were doubts about his limited-overs prowess, he became the first batsman to record 50+ scores in five consecutive World Cup games, including a match-winning 56 not out in the final against New Zealand at Melbourne. While it will be strange to not see him lead the side, his experience and skill will prove crucial for Austrlia on cricket's grandest stage.

The Pakistan-born Queenslander was not touted to be a limited-overs specialist when he debuted for Australia’s Test side in 2013. But his imperious form in the ODI series against India and Pakistan suggests how far he has developed his game. He has 10 fifties and 2 centuries in ODIs, out of which 5 half-centuries and both the tons have come in the past ten matches. Capable of playing anywhere in the top-order, Khawaja is fluent against pace and spin. He is also a licensed pilot and has a degree from New South Wales School of Aviation.

It will be the first World Cup for Shaun Marsh. Son of former Australian opener Goeff Marsh, the 35-year-old made his ODI debut against West Indies at Kingstown, making an impressive 81. His career since though has had its highs and lows. After struggling to make it to the national team, the southpaw made a comeback in the series against England and South Africa in 2018 scoring four centuries and went from strength to strength in 2019 scoring 3 fifties and a hundred in the series against India and Pakistan.

Pat Cummins burst onto to the international scene aged 18, with a man-of-the-match- winning performance in his debut Test against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2011. He showed promise over the next few years despite being sidelined due to issues with his back, prompting Cricket Australia to include him in the 2015 World Cup squad. He played just two matches in that tournament, but is one of the more seasoned players in the squad. Co-vice captain for the side across all formats, Cummins has the world no.1 ranking in Tests besides being in sensational ODI form with 25 wickets in just 11 ODIs in the past two years.

One of the finds of the 2010 Under-19 World Cup where Australia lifted the trophy, Adam Zampa made his debut for the senior side in 2016 T20I series against New Zealand. Constantly compared to the legendary Shane Warne for his action and tossed up deliveries, Zampa’s variations are an asset for any limited-overs side. His 6-19 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2016 are the third best figures for any bowler. However, with Nathan Lyon finding his limited-overs mojo in the recent series against India and Pakistan, the 27-year-old might find himself being sparingly used in the seaming English conditions.

For a bowler with 343 Test wickets, it is surprising to see that Nathan Lyon has only played 25 ODIs since his debut in 2012. Despite being Australia’s premier Test spinner for a long time, Lyon has been overlooked for the limited-overs. Much like his teammates, the 31-year-old has cemented his spot to play in his first World Cup with his outstanding performances in the series against India and Pakistan (played in UAE) bowling 80 overs for a measly 4.7 runs per over.

No stranger to World Cup glory, Australia’s pace spearhead comes into the tournament after winning the Man of the Tournament in 2015 having taken 22 wickets and helping his team lift the cup for a record fifth time. Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, Starc generates pace excess to 150 mph, making life difficult for batsmen with his lethal toe crushers and in-swingers. A calf injury forced him out of IPL 2019 to focus on the World Cup and one can only expect him to come back stronger than before. He is an asset on the field because of his powerful throwing arm and athleticism, something which runs in the family -- his younger brother Brandon Starc is a high-jumper who has represented Australia in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The 28-year-old seamer from South Australia was a part of Australia's World Cup-winning Under-19 team in 2010 and played a crucial knock of 44 against Pakistan in the final. Richardson made his ODI debut at the Adelaide Oval, in 2013, but had a forgettable outing after he was ordered out of the attack by the umpires for repeatedly running on the pitch.  However, his breakthrough one-day performance came against India in January 2016, with a five-wicket haul winning him the man-of-the-match. An ODI and T20I regular, Richardson had failed to make it to Australia's 15-member squad for the 2019 World Cup before an injury to Jhye Richardson opened doors for him.

A new addition to Australia’s ODI setup, the left-arm pacer made his ODI debut in February 2019 against India. Behrendorff brings rich experience as a new-ball bowler, having made his first-class debut in 2011. His ability to swing the ball has posed questions to ace top-order batsman, and was on display in the T20I against India at Guwahati where he dismissed Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey for single-digit scores. However, he can be expensive in the middle and death overs and that's something big-hitters will look to capitalise on.

Picked ahead of the experienced Josh Hazlewood, Coulter-Nile brings a lot to the table. He is electric in the field, can pack a punch coming lower down the order and has the ability to hit the deck hard at dizzying speeds. The highly competitive Australian fast bowling talent pool and a string of injuries kept the 31-year-old out of the side for a long time, which saw his miss out on 2015 World Cup. However, he will be a useful part of the arsenal in England's seaming conditions though one might wonder how many opportunities he will get to play with Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendoff all vying for a spot in the playing XI.

One of the most destructive batsman in world cricket right now, Glenn Maxwell’s ability to muscle the ball irrespective of the conditions, shot him to fame as quickly as it raised doubts over his ability due to inconsistency. However, back-to-back series-defining performances against India and Pakistan in early 2019 gave selectors the confidence to persist with Maxwell and give him his second World Cup call. The 30-year-old is a livewire in the field and can also chip in with some useful off-break in the middle overs. He holds the record for the fastest ODI hundred by an Australian in 51 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal which is his only ODI century.

Stoinis' World Cup journey goes back to his days as a U-19 player when he represented his country in 2008's U-19 World Cup. His international ascension has been a long process though. After struggling at the domestic level, he was forced to swap Western Australia for Victoria. He soon made it into the Australia A side in 2015 after a brilliant season in the Sheffield Shield and subsequently earned his international debut in the same year against England. Being an adaptable batsman, he gives his team the option to be flexible with the batting order and can strike the ball powerfully which makes him a finisher in the team alongside Maxwell. His medium pace also offers the team to play an extra seamer.

Starting out as a football player with Greater Western Sydney Giants in 2010-11, Alex Carey’s sporting career took a different route when he decided to pursue cricket with South Australia. Despite playing just one ODI, he was named the T20I vice-captain for Australia's England series and there was no turning back after that. The 27-year-old has made the transition from playing as an opener for his domestic sides to take up the role of a finisher in the lower-middle order for Australia. Current coach Justin Langer and batting coach Ricky Ponting rate the keeper-batsman highly for his glovework and ability to score boundaries from the get go.

For Tamim Iqbal, cricket is an integral part of the family-- his elder brother Nafees Iqbal played 16 ODIs for Bangladesh, while his uncle Akram Khan captained the country between 1994-98. Iqbal was in the limelight after his 51 at the top of the order sealed India’s exit from the 2007 World Cup and has been one of the consistent batsman across all formats. The same consistency helped him become the first Bangaldeshi batsman to reach 10,000 international runs. He is also Bangladesh’s top run-getter across all formats. His ability to switch gears to up the scoring rate makes him a prized wicket for any opposition.

The 24-year old could be a lethal weapon at the top of the order when on song, but inconsistency has plagued his development ever since making his debut in 2015. Just one hundred in four years of playing ODIs is a humble return, which could make the team send in-form Soumya Sarkar up the order alongside Tamim Iqbal. Bangladesh will be hoping for an encore of his 121 against India in the Asia Cup 2018 despite his recent underwhelming performances. His wicketkeeping abilities also provide Bangaldesh with a backup for Mushfiqur Rahim.

One of the surprise picks for the 2015 World Cup, Soumya Sarkar showed promise with some useful knocks against England and New Zealand as Bangladesh reached the quarterfinals. The southpaw played a big role in 2015 as Bangladesh won three consecutive ODI series at home by beating Pakistan, India and South Africa. His form has been a major worry for Bangladesh in the past few years. However, the Bengal Tigers can be optimistic about him going into the World Cup as he recently became the first ever Bangladeshi batsman to score a List-A double century in the Dhaka Premier League and scored three consecutive fifties in the recent Tri-series against West Indies.

Despite making his List-A debut at the age of 15 and highly rated by coaches in Bangladesh's domestic circles, Mithun’s ODI career never took off as the team has been overcrowded in the keeper-batsman department. After making his debut in the home series against India in 2014, Mithun did not play another ODI until 2018 Asia Cup when off-field controversies freed up space for a technically sound lower-order batsman. Ever since, the right-hander has been playing as a specialist batsman despite being overlooked for the role of an opener and wicket-keeper. He will look to make the most of his maiden World Cup after landing a place in the squad with two back-to-back fifties in the New Zealand series.

The pressure of performing well at the World Cup will weigh heavily on this explosive middle-order batsman after enduring a rough nine months. He was slapped with a six-month ban and TK 20 Lakh in September, 2018 by the BCB for allegedly abusing fans on social media and getting into a feud with his teammate, posing questions over his international career. But with team captain Mashrafe Mortaza’s backing, he was selected for the New Zealand series in February. He paid back the skipper’s trust with a maiden ODI hundred in Dunedin and will back his power-hitting to churn up another big performance at the World Cup.

A smart player of spin bowling with his nifty footwork and comfortable against pace, Mosaddek Hossain scored three double centuries and 1000 plus runs in his 12 first-class matches. His performances in the Bangladesh Premier League earned him high praise from Tamim Iqbal, who described the youngster as a player with “45-year old brain”. Hossain’s diminishing performances over the past three years and disciplinary issues have been criticised by former Bangladesh coaches and with no top-order promotion in sight, Hossain will be under pressure to deliver in his maiden World Cup.

Debuting as a 17-year old in 2001, Mortaza possessed express speed with accuracy that could put any batsman in a fix. He was the chief architect of India’s group stage exit at the 2007 World Cup picking up 4-38 as Bangladesh won by five wickets. In 2015, he also led Bangladesh to bilateral series wins against Pakistan, India and South Africa, the most successful era in the country’s history. Multiple injuries to knee and ankle has forced the ‘Narail Express’ to say goodbye to T20Is and Tests to focus on ODIs. The Bangladesh squad have made it clear that they are motivated to give the veteran of five World Cups a deserving goodbye in his final tournament.

A gifted off-spinner, Hasan has captained Bangladesh twice in Under 19 World Cup after being named the side’s captain at the age of 16. He was named Player of the Tournament in the 2016 Under 19 World Cup after helping his team finish third which earned him his maiden Test call up against visiting England. He finished with figures of 6-80 in his first ever innings and won the Man of the Series with three six-wicket hauls in the series. He is highly effective on flat surfaces with his unerring accuracy and could prove to be a crucial in the foreseen hot English summer.

Scarily quick with a slightly-slinging action, emotional, controversial – Hossain ticks all the boxes that makes pace bowling an exciting watch. Said to have pioneered the non-swinging glider he calls ‘Butterfly’, Hossain has played a crucial part in Bangladesh’s 4-0 ODI series sweep of New Zealand in 2010 and was instrumental in Bangladesh reaching the quarters for the first time in the 2015 World Cup by knocking out England. Despite his poor numbers in Tests, Hossain’s impact in the limited-overs remains undoubted. Fans could be set for an encore of his famous victory lap at the Adelaide Oval from the previous World Cup if his team makes it far in 2019.

One of the exciting pacers in world cricket right now, the left-armer turned into a superstar when he paved the path for Bangladesh’s first bilateral ODI series win against India in 2015 with 13 wickets from three matches. Mustafizur makes up for his lack of express pace with intelligent variations, particularly the slow off-cutter which has now become his signature delivery. Injuries have curtailed his ascension to the top echelon, but with good performances in the Tri-series against West Indies and Ireland, Mustafizur will look to make a lasting impact on the big stage.

Medium-pacer Abu Jayed’s has been surprise pick for Bangladesh’s World Cup squad as the management decided to drop the experienced Taskin Ahmed for the 25-year old. He has played five Tests and 3 T20Is since making his debut in February 2018, but is yet to earn an ODI cap. With a Jame Anderson-esque jump-release action, Jayed has the ability to swing the ball both ways and can pose batsmen problems in overcast conditions during the English summer. He might not be the fourth pacer in all Bangaldesh’s matches, but is a good backup to have.

Mahamudullah was Bangladesh’s best batsman at the 2015 World Cup scoring back-to-back hundreds against England and New Zealand as his team reached the quarterfinals for the first time. His composure under pressure adds solidity to the middle-order which has witnessed dramatic collapses in crucial matches. He is also Bangladesh’s fourth highest run scorer across all formats. His form has been a worrying factor for Bangladesh going into the World Cup as he has scored just three fifties in 20 matches at an average of 32.23. Mahamudullah started off as a bowling all-rounder but his off-spin services have been called upon rarely in the past few years.

One of the finest all-rounders in world cricket right now, Shakib Al Hasan has been indispensable in Bangladesh’s setup for the past twelve years. He is the country’s second-highest run scorer and top wicket-taker, above Mashrafe Mortaza, across all formats. Lack of proper game time in the past six months – missing the New Zealand tour due to injury and playing just three matches in the IPL – had been a concern for team management, but a run-a-ball 61 against West Indies in the recent Tri-series proved Shakib has no jitters when it comes to delivering on the big stage.

“My mother used to say that a baby may fall, while taking his first steps but does that mean he will not walk? I will get hit but I will learn from it,” Saifuddin spoke philosophically, referring to the 2017 T20I in South Africa where he was hit for five sixers by David Miller in his first over. However, the rookie pacer gave away 22 runs in his next 18 balls, proving that he has the temperament to succeed on the big stage. The youngster underplays his batting abilities despite having two 40-plus scores and a fifty in ODIs – a factor that could prove crucial for Bangladesh. He has enough variations in his arsenal that could trouble batsmen in the World Cup.

Bangladesh’s third-highest run-getter across all formats, Mushfiqur Rahim will be playing in his fourth World Cup and will look to propel the side which has lost six multinational tournament finals. A fan-favorite in Bangladesh, Rahim’s knocks are full of power-hitting and emotional celebrations. After making his international debut just a week before turning 18, Rahim has proved to be the heir to Bangladeshi wicket-keeping great Khaled Mashud with his nifty glovework. He has done reasonably well batting all across the order, but is the most effective batting at No. 4 and No. 6.

Dimuth Karunaratne has been a regular member of Sri Lanka’s Test side for the last six years. In One-Day Internationals, though, he has had a stop-start career. He hasn’t played an ODI since the Cricket World Cup in 2015 where he scored just 37 runs in the two innings he batted. However, the Sri Lankan selectors dished out a surprise ahead of the 2019 World Cup by naming him the captain. He has led his domestic side Kandy with a handful of good performances but finished fourth in the Sri Lanka Super Four Provincial Limited Overs tournament. It will be interesting to see how he leads a team which carries heavy emotional baggage with the ongoing civil unrest in the country.

Fernando is an elegant batsman, capable of hitting the ball clean and hard, and can play his strokes all around the wicket. He a newcomer to international cricket, having played just five ODIs and three T20Is. Fernando made his ODI debut in 2016 – against Australia in Dambulla - before he had played any first-class cricket. Earlier that year, he participated in the U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, scoring a half-century in six matches. He played his second ODI after a considerable gap – against South Africa in Centurion in March, 2019.

A surprise selection in the World Cup squad, Lahiru Thirimanne is known for his fluid, refined strokeplay. Once touted as the successor to Kumar Sangakkara, the elegant left-hander has failed to live up to the expectations he set at the beginning of his career. However, he remains a safe bet in overseas tours as all his four ODI hundreds and 12 fifties have come away from home. In a List A tourney in April, he scored a century and an 82 playing for Galle.

A giant for Sri Lanka in limited-overs cricket, Lasith Malinga is the third highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the ODIs. His right arm measures slightly longer than his left arm which has helped him in sending toe-crushers at blurring speeds over a 15-year long international career. Malinga has not been very impactful of late. In the ODI series against South Africa in March, 2019, he took four wickets in five matches. The 2019 World Cup will be the final time fans will get to see his half-dyed blonde Afro bouncing as he kisses the ball and runs in to sling in a yorker for the billionth time.

With an action and accuracy resembling the great Glenn McGrath, this mild-mannered pacer has been spearheading Sri Lanka’s bowling attack for the past few years. One of the seniors in the side, Lakmal’s exploits in Tests and leadership skills have been praised much, but he has not played an ODI since the Asia Cup in September, 2018. However, his ability to contain the run flow using both seam and swing effectively makes him a reliable asset for the Sri Lanka in the World Cup.

Pradeep, who had played very little cricket at school, joined Sri Lanka Cricket’s academy at the age of 20 after winning a pace competition conducted by an entertainment channel in 2007. He made his international debut in 2011 in the Test series against Paksitan and an ODI debut the next year. Despite a decent return an average return of 38 wickets from 34 ODIs, Pradeep has carried out his duties of slowing down the run rate in the middle overs. He can conjure exciting spells in seaming conditions with his aesthetically pleasing action.

A right-arm leg-spinner with hardly any run-up in his bowling action, Jeffrey Vandersay is a newcomer to international cricket which has been mired in off-field controversies. He had been sent home from a tour of the Caribbean in July last year on grounds of misconduct – he was found missing from the team hotel in St. Lucia on a morning after a night-out. He was given a one-year suspended sentence from international cricket by Sri Lanka Cricket. His best performance in ODIs was in the tri-series final in Zimbabwe in 2016 where took three wickets in his team’s six-wicket win over the host.

Once heralded as the man who would take Sri Lankan cricket ahead after the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Mathews stepped down from captaincy in 2017 following his side’s poor performance in a one-day series in Zimbabwe. Earlier that year, he had led Sri Lanka to a win over India in the Champions Trophy and 3-0 Test series victory over Australia. Nevertheless, he has been a mainstay in the Sri Lankan batting lineup across formats and is an excellent fielder. He makes his ODI comeback after September, 2018 on the back of excellent List A performances scoring 227 runs in four 50-Overs games.

A limited-overs specialist, Perera is widely experienced in T20 franchise cricket, having played 260 T20s overall. He is known for his finishing skills with the bat as he revels in slogs and lofted strokes. In his bowling arsenal, he possesses the slower ball and the cutter that he employs to fox the batsman. Perera did not make much of an impact in the recent ODI series in South Africa, but earlier in the year, he shone against New Zealand, scoring the first century of his career – a match-winning 140 in Mount Maunganui.

A popular figure in the country’s domestic circuit, Dhananjaya made a name for himself with a superb run in the Super T20 Provincial tournament in 2016 with 234 runs in six innings. His father Ranjan de Silva, a local politician in Colombo, was assassinated in May, 2018 as Dhananjaya missed half of the tour of West Indies. He played some stunning innings in Tests for Sri Lanka – the standout being a 119 not out in the pollution-wrecked draw at Delhi in 2017. He has the technique and solidity of a classical Test batsman, but has the flamboyance to be a successful limited-overs batter.

Udana has all the qualities of a limited-overs specialist – he can surprise batsmen with his pace variations and can tonk the ball hard when required. However, he has had a stop-start international career. Despite making his international debut in ICC World Twenty20 in 2009, he has only played 26 international matches so far. He has been in good form with the bat of late – a quickfire 78 off 57 balls in the fourth ODI of the five-match series against South Africa and an unbeaten 84 (off 48 deliveries) in a Twenty20 International both in a losing cause.

A left-handed batsman who can strike the ball well, Mendis can flight the ball well and generate turn, bowling leg-spinners as well as googlies. The 36-year-old hasn’t played One-Day Internationals since the 2015 World Cup, where he played two matches. The last time he played a Twenty20 International for Sri Lanka was during the Nidahas Trophy in 2018. However, a series of sparkling all-round performances in the domestic cricket where bagged 17 wickets and scored 272 runs in 8 List A matches, his international career has been resurrected with a spot in the World Cup 2019.

Another surprise pick for the 2019 World Cup, Siriwardana offers the role of a good lower-order batsman with an effective left-arm spin during the middle overs. Despite making a promising debut in the 2015 home series against Pakistan, he has unable to cement his place in the side. He has not played an international match since October, 2017 but fared well in the domestic circuit earning a call-up in the World Cup squad.

In February, 2019, Perera dominated the headlines when he single-handedly helped Sri Lanka chase down 304 against South Africa in the Durban Test. His technique resembles his idol Sanath Jayasuriya – diminutive, explosive and a dizzying bat speed with a short backlift. He is not the batsman of the classical mould, relying more on his bottom hand to score his runs. He will also serve as the team’s back-up wicket-keeper though he has not kept wickets since September, 2018.

This promising right-hander can double up as a wicketkeeper and according to Sri Lanka’s fielding coach Steve Rixon, his batting is something which will make people go ‘wow’ the more they see. He has played one of the finest innings by a Sri Lankan batsman when he scored 176 against a fearsome Australian bowling attack at Palakelle to win his team the match. In 2018, he also became the second batsman in history to score more 1000 Test runs in a Calendar year. He will go into the World Cup full of confidence having scored 202 runs in five ODIs in South Africa.

The big man from Jamaica has played four World Cups — 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 — and he has been with the side through the tough times; right from the qualifier tournament. Ever since he announced that he will retire after this World Cup, the bat started piling up runs. At 39, Gayle is probably at his best ODI form. He smashed two centuries and two fifties in the home series against England. The Universe Boss, as he is fondly called, will look to conquer as much as he can.

The Guyanese batsman is one of the most exciting in world cricket at the moment. The left-hander, who came up through the Under-19 ranks, is the next big thing. Still under 1,000 runs, the 22-year-old averages above 40 and has four centuries in ODI cricket. He is another batsman who has scored heavily against India [in an overseas series] and Bangladesh. The 83-ball 104 not out against England in February ticked his proficiency against seamers as well.

The younger brother of Dwayne Bravo, Darren brings in a nostalgia element in the side. His flourish reminds one of the legendary Brian Lara. He has been in and out of the team but Darren is 10 years old in the international cricket fraternity. The left-hander is a seasoned campaigner having milked bowling attacks across the world since 2009 and a senior who one can turn to in times of trouble.

Evin Lewis’ selection was questioned after incumbent opener John Campbell was dropped from the provisional squad. However, Robert Haynes, interim chairman of CWI said, "If you look at his track record, he's done very well opening the batting with Chris Gayle and we believe that he's somebody we are going to see progressing as the tour goes on." Lewis last played an ODI in July 2018 against Bangladesh but will be looking to bounce back on the grand stage in England when he opens the batting with ‘mentor’ Chris Gayle.

A late bloomer, Cottrell first turned heads for his salute send-off to batsmen — an act he does to pay his respect to the Jamaican Defence Force. He was a soldier by profession, and now, the left-arm pacer is back in the battlefield; this time, for the Windies. Being a left-arm fast bowler, he holds the advantage of creating those vicious angles against right-handers. Cottrell also has the delivery that nips back in — perfect in the English conditions. He recently claimed his maiden five-for, against England, in Barbados.

Ashley Nurse’s selection raised many questions and there were many who criticised the move. But interim chairman of Cricket West Indies, Robert Haynes defended the move saying the spinner's ability to bowl at the death gave them the confidence to fill the side with all-rounders instead of a back-up spin option. Fabian Allen is the only spin-bowling option beside Nurse. While Devendra Bishoo missed out, Sunil Narine wasn't picked because of an injured finger.

Kemar Roach, a ferocious pacer just under six feet, may not have the height of some of the earlier West Indian legends, but he does possess the ability of consistently generating speeds in the upper spectrum of 140s. Roach recently received a lot of fanfare after he managed to get 13 wickets in his last two Test matches against England. Fans will be hoping that Roach, who is in tremendous form in red ball cricket, replicates his performance in the limited overs format as well.

Chairman of selectors Robert Haynes talked about how England pitches have failed to promise anything to the bowlers of late. His solution to the flat tracks was brute pace and who other than Shannon Gabriel to perfectly meet the requirements of the role? Gabriel, who last played for Windies more than a year and a half ago, will be looking to stage a strong comeback and, alongside the young and fiery Oshane Thomas, will be expected to cause some serious damage.

The youngest fast bowler in the West Indies squad, Oshane Thomas has just featured in nine ODIs but has already shown plenty of promise. He got into the West Indies team after finishing as CPL 2018’s highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers. In last year's CPL, he had castled Gayle with a 150kph yorker. And during the India tour he continually troubled India's top three. In March, when the Englishmen toured the Windies, the fifth ODI saw how Thomas single-handedly decimate England’s middle order as the side collapsed for just 113.

Skipper of the West Indian side, Jason Holder is a bowling all-rounder, who has also taken up the role of a finisher now. He was only 23 when a selection panel headed by former World Cup-winner Clive Lloyd appointed him captain of the ODI squad five years ago. Less than a year later, he was handed the responsibility to captain the Test side as well and that alone speaks volumes about the dedication Holder has towards the game. And how can we forget his match-winning knock of 202* against England at Barbados in January this year? Goosebumps, is it?

Another name which was a surprise in the 15-man Windies provisional squad was that of the young Fabian Allen. The Jamaican lacks experience and he hadn’t particularly impressed in any of the ODIs he featured in. However, Allen has had a decent showing in the domestic circuit as he has two first-class centuries. He also has a few decent List A performances to show for. Allen might be in the squad for his ability to bowl slow left-arm spin and bat as well. Some unfortunate injuries could see him feature in the playing XI.

Andre Russell’s career has often been riddled with injuries and that should be the only concern of Cricket West Indies going into the World Cup. Given how extensive this edition of the tournament is, Russell, who can now be called the Windies’ trump card, should ensure fitness at all costs. Russell has been in electric form recently and that was evident in the Indian Premier League. Cricket is a team game, but Russell proved otherwise this time around, starring for Kolkata Knight Riders, even as others around him failed to perform. He finished the tournament with the highest strike-rate: 204.81, amassing 510 runs from 13 innings.

2016 T20 World Cup final: One run required off three balls and as the fourth successive six came off Brathwaite’s bat and the commentator roared, “Carlos Brathwaite! Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name!”. That one event was enough to let the world know how devastating Brathwaite can be on big matchdays. He has done well recently too, when England toured the Caribbean. The most consistent of the bowlers in the series, Brathwaite also scored 50 off 36 balls in St George's, as the West Indies fell just 29 runs short of England’s mammoth total of 415.

When the team needed a character to bolster the middle order, the young man stepped in with a pair of wicketkeeping gloves hanging from his shoulders. In 49 ODIs, he averages 45.56; not bad for somebody who made his debut only three years ago. Fairly confident against spinners, Hope has four hundreds — two against Bangladesh, one against India and another, against Zimbabwe [in his second international ODI]. But the two knocks that announced his arrival were against India — the unbeaten 123 in Visakhapatnam and the 95, in the same series, in Pune.

Included in the squad as the backup keeper to Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran has only featured in one ODI against England in Barbados. However, Pooran came into the spotlight after he scored a 130-ball 143 against Australia during the 2014 U-19 Cricket World Cup. He featured for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019 where he scored 168 runs in six innings, maintaining a high strike-rate of 157.

Faf du Plessis is the new flag-bearer of South Africa’s quest for a major trophy. Hansie Cronje, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers led the Proteas admirably at the multi-team tournaments, but none of the trio was able to take South Africa past the last-four stage of a World Cup or Champions Trophy. Skipper Du Plessis will go into the tournament on the back of confidence-boosting displays in home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while his prowess against spin bowling makes him crucial to his team’s cause.

Hashim Amla has been a consistent batsmen across the Test and ODI formats over the last decade, though his form has dipped in the last year and a half. His ability to read the conditions perfectly helped him score above 3000 ODI runs both home and away. In the lead-up to the World Cup, Amla was dropped for the first three ODIs of the five-match home series against Sri Lanka, casting doubts over his place in South Africa’s World Cup squad, with his replacement, Reeza Hendricks, giving a good account of himself. Amla, however, made the cut and will be a key player in the top-order in what could be his last World Cup.

David Miller is the kind of batsman teams would love to have at number 5 and 6 positions — where batsmen often have to play the big shots from the word go. A clean striker of the ball adept at clearing the boundary at will, Miller thrives when the platform has been laid for him. Miller made his ODI debut in 2010 but did not nail down his spot in the XI until 2013. The 2013 Champions Trophy that year was his first major tournament, while his maiden ODI century came in 2015. Miller has gone through phases when he has had a poor run of scores, but his batting average (close to 40) suggests that he is good enough to bat in the high pressure role.

Rassie van der Dussen is a player whose skill set is similar to that of AB de Villiers and could prove to be a like-for-like replacement for the former skipper if we go by his batting positions in his first eight ODI innings. He has shots to score runs all around the pitch and has shown during his short international career that he understands and adapts to the demands of match situations. Van der Dussen has four 50-plus scores in eight innings, while he has already played a couple of match-defining knocks.

Aiden Markram was South Africa Under-19 World Cup-winning captain in 2014 and made his international debut in 2017. Opening the batting in Tests, the 24-year-old has consistently showed that he belongs at this level but his appearances in the 50-over format have been sporadic — he only has two half-centuries to his name in 18 innings. But with AB de Villiers hanging up his boots in 2018 and Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis in the twilight of their careers, Markram will soon be the one South Africa's batting line-up will revolve around.

Ever since making his ODI debut in 2005, Dale Steyn remains one of the finest bowlers in world cricket — age and back-to-back injuries in the past four years, have not slowed this Proteas great. Much of Steyn’s success at the international level has come in Test cricket, with him being the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests with 439 scalps. For a bowler who played his first ODI in 2005, Steyn has gone on to play only 125 matches at the time of writing. He still is a wicket-taking threat and has the ability to generate pace and bounce off the toughest of wickets.

Kagiso Rabada is only 24-years-old, but he has made big strides since breaking into the South African side towards the end of 2014. He has replaced an injury-ridden Dale Steyn as the spearhead of the team’s bowling attack and the captain’s go-to bowler across formats. Playing in his second ODI series for South Africa against India, Rabada successfully defended 10 runs off the final over with M. S. Dhoni on strike. For a young bowler, Rabada showed tremendous temperament under pressure and he has gone from strength to strength ever since. The Johannesburg-born Rabada is extremely well-built for a fast bowler and his smooth, easy action helps him clock speeds above 140kmph.

A muscular fast bowler who thrives on hitting the deck, Ngidi impressed with his Test debut against India when he picked up nine wickets in his first four Test innings, including a match-defining six for 39 in the second innings at SuperSport Park. Good performances in the Test whites earned Ngidi a call-up to the ODI squad. Injuries hampered him in the latter part of 2018 but his performances in the early part of the year and the promise he showed were enough to secure a place in the Proteas’ 2019 World Cup squad.

Imran Tahir has been part of a period in international cricket when wrist spin has become the flavour in the limited-overs formats. Since he made his ODI debut in the 2011 World Cup, no spinner has taken as many wickets as Tahir (162). He doesn’t turn the ball to the extent wrist spinners normally do, but the accuracy of his leg spin and an effective googly have made him dangerous around the world. In March 2019, Tahir announced that he will retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup in England.

Injuries have hampered Dwaine Pretorius from being able to play more and much earlier for South Africa, with a torn cartilage in his right knee denying him the chance to play the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. He went on to make his South Africa ODI debut eight years later, in 2016. Getting a long run in the team has continued to be a challenge for him. A run of seven matches and good performances in late-2018 and early-2019 helped him secure a place in the South Africa squad for the 2019 World Cup. A medium-pace bowler who can be handy with the bat lower down the order, Pretorius provides the team with much-needed depth in batting.

Tabraiz Shamsi broke into South Africa’s ODI team in June 2016 and has performed well despite the lack of chances in the two-and-a-half years since. Shamsi has two three-hauls to his name, while he has tended to be expensive on a handful of occasions. A chinaman bowler who possesses the googly and the slider, Shamsi complements Imran Tahir, the other wrist spinner in the South African bowling attack, whenever he features in the playing XI.

JP Duminy made his ODI debut for South Africa in 2004 but his century (166) and an unbeaten half-century on his Test debut in Australia, when the Proteas successfully chased down 414, remains the highlight of his career. Duminy offers versatility with his off-spin, while he has tended to be a floater in what has often been a high-quality batting line-up. Duminy has not been as consistent with the bat as his talent suggests, but he remains a key member of the Faf du Plessis-led team.

Chris Morris made his South Africa debut (first in the T20 format) in 2012 and his skill set suggested that he could be a key member across all three formats. With the ball, he could bowl at speeds north of 140kmph and his batting technique has always made him capable of contributing more than a handful. Yet, Morris has played only 34 ODIs over a six-year period while his involvement in the T20I team has also been sporadic. Morris found a place in South Africa’s squad after Anrich Nortje failed to recover from a broken thumb.

In January 2019, Andile Phehlukwayo, a relative new-comer in the team, showed his mettle with the bat with an unbeaten 69 against Pakistan. With South Africa five down for 80 in a chase of 204, Phehlukwayo combined with Rassie van der Dussen and his substantial knock led the Proteas to a five-wicket win. This innings, where he also picked up four wickets to help South Africa bowl out the visitor for 203, was proof of his know-how with the bat. With the ball, he has tended to be expensive, as his ODI economy rate (5.62) suggests, but with a multitude of variations up his sleeve, he can take wickets on any playing surface. He is the No. 8 that captains will want to have in a team’s line-up.

In 2013, while he was still new at the international level, de Kock scored three consecutive ODI centuries against India in home conditions, putting him in an elite company of AB de Villiers, Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas, Ross Taylor and Herschelle Gibbs — the only batsmen to achieve the feat previously. Opening the batting for South Africa in ODI and T20 cricket, de Kock often helps his team stamp its authority on the opposition with explosive starts. His high-40s average is also evidence of his consistency as he continues to be an integral part of South Africa across formats.

A brilliant 2016-17 domestic season in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy followed by an explosive season in the Pakistan Super League, earned him a place in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad in 2017. It turned him into an overnight star, especially after scoring a century in the final. Zaman became the first Pakistani batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs last year.

Being the nephew of former batting great Inzamam-ul-Haq is a pressure of a different kind. But Imam put that to bed quite early in his career. It was an injury to Azhar Ali during an ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2017 that gave him his first international cap. He scored a ton on debut. The flamboyance at the top of the order made him an integral part of Pakistan’s batting; the knock of 151 off 131 balls against England [in May 2019] is a fine example. Imam is also a sharp ring fielder.

In Babar Azam, Pakistan has found a prolific run-getter at No 3. He was the fastest to score five ODI centuries. He has been among runs since the U-19 days; Azam had finished Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in the 2012 World Cup.

Asif Ali, a late inclusion in the World Cup squad, was selected on the back of a fine show for Islamabad United in Pakistan Super League 2018. Ali made his T20I debut in April 2018 and ODI debut in July of the same year. Replacing Abid Ali in the squad, Asif has been called in for his power-hitting abilities lower down the order. He further raised his stakes with a decent batting performance in the recently concluded Royal London series, where he scored 142 runs in four innings at a strike-rate of 131.48.

After Junaid Khan and Faheem Ashraf struggled in the recently concluded Royal London series against England, Wahab Riaz received a late call-up to the 15-man squad of Pakistan. Riaz’s pace will torment batsman in England, but he has troubles with consistency. Usually effective when the ball is reversing, Riaz, on his day, can prove to be a genuine match-winner. He can also contribute with the bat lower down the order.

Hasan Ali provides Pakistan with a reliable fast-bowling option in the middle overs. He won the Man of the Tournament award in the Champions Trophy for scripting a fairy-tale victory for Pakistan with his 13 wickets in five matches.

The name rings a bell, doesn’t it? He is perhaps destined for greatness. The Pakistani selectors, who have been tracking his progress for three years, definitely think so. The 6 foot 6 inch seamer is fresh and maintains a good rhythm. His elder brother, Riaz, played a lone Test for Pakistan in 2004. Afridi first got people to take notice with an 8/39 on his Quaid-e-Azam debut. He is able to make use of his height to generate bounce on even the flattest tracks and has a mean yorker.

Hasnain is the latest promise from the 150kmph club. He was spotted young and was groomed by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Before he made his international debut in March this year, he cracked mirrors in the Pakistan Super League picking up 12 wickets. He is quick; seriously quick.

Coming back from the infamous ban for spot-fixing after almost five years, Mohammad Amir didn’t seem to be the same prodigious 18-year-old he was. Amir, who was down with chicken pox recently, was included in the squad after Junaid Khan and Faheem Ashraf struggled in the recently concluded Royal London series. Although, he has found it difficult to find rhythm of late, the World Cup should ne a good platform for him to bounce back and prove his mettle.

With a career spanning two decades, veteran Shoaib Malik has been an omnipresent figure in the Pakistan side over the years. He’s played most of the roles you can think for a cricketer — coming into the side as an off-spinner, he developed into a reliable batsmen who has been tried at almost every batting position. He even had a brief, but unsuccessful stint, as captain. The soft-spoken Malik is Pakistan’s Mr. Dependable in the limited overs format, a silent presence in the middle that can quietly win you matches.

His ODI debut came in 2013 after a string of impressive domestic performances, but the opportunities were limited. He has chipped in with some consistent and useful performances in the middle order, but a failure to convert most of his 50s into 100s could be a reason why he finds it hard to cement a spot. Sohail’s left-arm orthodox is handy.

Nicknamed ‘The Professor’, Hafeez is another veteran in the Pakistan ranks. An elegant and solid batsman at the top of the order and a more than decent off-spinner, Hafeez made his debut in 2003 but had been in and out of the side till 2010. His purple patch came between 2011 and 2015 when, opening the innings, he scored 11 ODI centuries away from home.

Shadab Khan proved himself when he topped the charts with 11 wickets in the 2016 U-19 World Cup. The leg-spinner impressed in his international debut, too, with figures of 4-0-7-3 in a T20I against West Indies. In his short career, Shadab has been known for his loopy trajectory and using guile to hoodwink the batsman — especially with his wrong‘uns.

When Pakistan had lost Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal to suspect bowling actions, Imad Wasim made his entry. He had played an all-round role in Pakistan’s historic Champions Trophy triumph in 2017. The leg-spinner relies more on accuracy and variations. He can be quite effective with the new ball as well. He can make significant contributions with the bat lower down the order.

The Pakistan captain is energetic, chirpy behind the stumps and fearless with the bat. He can score at a quick pace down the order. If needed, he can bat up the order too. Sarfaraz shines under pressure and that made him the ideal candidate to lead Pakistan.