15 players we will miss the most at the 2015 World Cup

Source: IANS
Saket Parekar

Team India’s recent ODI performances have prompted several fans to slam the team selection for the 2015 World Cup. Following their dismal display against England, some even started using the hashtag #BringbackYuvi to express their dissatisfaction with the current team.

While Yuvraj’s omission from the WC squad remains the most shocking and contentious one, quite a few other big names will be missed by cricket fans around the globe in this year’s tournament. Here are the most notable absentees.

1. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh
Source: IANS

Many Indian fans believe Yuvraj should have been an obvious selection for the 2015 World Cup. No matter which side of the debate you’re on, nobody can deny the fact that Team India will find it difficult to find a player who can dominate an entire tournament the way Yuvi did in 2011.

2. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar
Source: Live Images

We’ve had ample time to come to terms with his absence from the team sheets. But every once in a while you wish it was all just a dream and watch him come out to bat as usual.

3. Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag
Source: Live Images

The struggles of Shikhar Dhawan make you wonder if not giving Viru one last chance was really such a good idea.

4. Dwayne Bravo 

Dwayne Bravo
Source: IANS

The former skipper’s exclusion came as a shock and a disappointment to even those not supporting the West Indies. His swashbuckling batting will be missed as much as his dance moves.

5. Kieron Pollard

Pollard
Source: IANS

Another shock snub from the West Indies Cricket Board. The tall all-rounder’s acrobatics and wild hitting will be missed, especially by Mumbai Indians’ fans.

6. Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis
Source: Live Images

For a long time it seemed like Kallis was incapable of aging. Even with their strong batting line-up, South African fans will find it hard to digest the fact that they won’t be witnessing the reassuring sight of him coming out to bat.

7. Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen
Source: Live Images

Very few players have attracted so much praise and so much criticism at the same time. Like him or not, KP’s flamboyance and audacious batting is something we all miss.

8. Brett Lee

Brett Lee
Source: IANS

Mitchell Johnson has more than made up for the void left by Binga’s departure, but some of us would have certainly enjoyed watching Lee’s trademark fist-pump one last time.

9. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan
Source: IANS

Another contentious exclusion from the Indian squad, Zaheer’s experience and swing would certainly have come in handy on the bouncy pitches down under.

10. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting
Image courtesy: http://www.wallpaperbasti.com

Clarke and Smith have proven to be able successors to the Aussie legend, but a World Cup without Punter still seems unreal.

11. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir
Source: Live Images

His crucial contribution with the bat was overshadowed by Yuvi’s heroics during the 2011 World Cup. But his omission from the ODI team still seems unjustified.

12. Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey
Source: IANS

Mr. Cricket’s resolve and consistency in the middle will be a big miss for the Aussies in their biggest summer event.

13. Umar Gul

Umar Gul
Source: IANS

Unfortunately, Gul has missed out on a spot in Pakistan’s World Cup squad due to fitness issues. The man who has led the team’s pace attack from the front would certainly have been the difference maker for the Men in Green at the big stage.

14. Saeed Ajmal

Saeed Ajmal
Source: IANS

He withdrew from the World Cup squad presumably due to the recent question marks over his bowling action. But the wily spinner will be hard to replace.

15. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh
Source: IANS

Despite the emergence of Ashwin and Jadeja as India’s frontline spinners, many believed that Bhajji should have been selected, purely based on his experience and his past record against Australia. Will the new generation of spinners make us eat our words? We’ll just wait and see.

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