Combined Indian XI with players from two World Cup winning teams

6. Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Wicket-Keeper and Vice-Captain

Dhoni - The finisher

Dhoni’s form with the bat was not at all encouraging leading into the World Cup final of 2011. But on the night of the final, his fortunes changed dramatically. At the fall of Kohli’s wicket, everyone expected the man of the tournament- Yuvraj Singh to walk in.

To the utter disbelief of the fans, Dhoni made a bold move in promoting himself to No. 5 to tackle the off-spin of Muthiah Muralidharan. It was a masterstroke from the captain as he scored a match-winning 91 off just 79 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Aside from taking care of Murali, Dhoni tonked the fast bowlers Malinga, Kulasekara and Thisara Perera. Dhoni finished off the match in style by depositing Kulasekara’s length ball into the Arabian Sea.

Dhoni is the wicket-keeper and vice-captain of this team

#7. Kapil Dev – Captain

Kapil Dev - The inspirational Captain

When India started their World Cup campaign in 1983, no one in the world believed that India were serious contenders except one man. That one man was the Indian captain, the one and only Kapil Dev. India progressed into that World Cup due to the confidence of their captain and the prayers of the millions of fans.

India were facing the possibility of an early exit from the World Cup in their match against Zimbabwe when they were at 17 for 5. Kapil Dev walked in and played one of the greatest one-day innings of all time.

Kapil scored 175 not out off 138 balls with 16 fours and 6 sixes. Kapil put on 126 runs with Kirmani for the ninth wicket in which Kirmani’s contribution was a meagre but vital 24. Kapil Dev came back to bowl 11 overs and took 1 wicket.

That innings from Kapil Dev was the turning point for India in World Cup 1983. Again, in the finals, Vivian Richards was going great guns when he had hit 7 fours in the 27 balls he had faced.

With Richards in such a blistering form, everyone was expecting an early finish. Richards had hit Madan Lal for 3 fours in an over. Kapil Dev was brave enough to give Madan Lal another over. Madan Lal bowled a short ball around the off-stump. Richards tried to deposit that short ball at mid-wicket. It was a top edge and the ball went miles up in the air.

Kapil Dev was fielding at mid-on. He started running towards the ball and the ball was going away from him. Running backwards, Kapil took a sensational catch to dismiss Richards.

Richard's dismissal was the turning point of the final.

There is no better player than Kapil Dev to lead this combined Indian team.