World Cup 2019: Best combined XI to watch out for

The 12th edition of ICC Men's ODI World Cup commenced with hosts England taking on South Africa in the opening game of the competition. The World Cup is one of the most anticipated tournaments across the globe and the present format of the ongoing edition is set to provide unparalleled entertainment with the ten teams bound to put their best foot forward.

The format of the current edition of the World Cup will be following a similar template to a past edition with the 10 teams due to play each of the other teams once, based on which the top four teams will make it to the semifinals.

With all the teams gearing up and ready to make their mark, the tournament is certain to be highly competitive and is expected to serve a treat for the fans across the globe. A number of veteran cricketers will be representing their nations with the likes of India's MS Dhoni, South Africa's Hashim Amla and West Indies' Chris Gayle amongst the list.

Here, we have a look at the best combined XI of players who could have an excellent World Cup and lead the way for their respective teams.

---

Openers-

#1 Rohit Sharma (India)

Sharma has hit 3 double centuries

Currently ranked second in ICC ODI rankings for batsmen, Rohit Sharma is a kind of batsman who can give sleepless nights to the opposition captain with his free-flowing big hitting abilities.

Sharma has a total of 330 runs from eight matches at an average of 47.14 in World Cup matches and will be looking to put his poor run of form behind him and get India off to a great start in this tournament.

#2 Jonny Bairstow (England)

Bairstow was third highest run-getter in 2018

Bairstow has been decimating bowling attacks since he got to open for England in ODIs. Since September 2017, Bairstow has scored 1461 runs in English conditions at a strike rate close to 115 and has looked in ominous form. He is the kind of player who can get you to a flier and also build the foundation for a gigantic total and will need to fire for the hosts.

Middle-Order-

#3 Virat Kohli (c) (India)

Kohli to captain India in world cups for the first time

Virat Kohli will be leading the Indian team for the first time in World Cup and will carry the hopes of India as he steps on to the field in a quest for a third title. Kohli is one of the best ODI players of all-time and arguably one of the world's most stylish batsmen. Safe to say, India's chances in this tournament will rely heavily on the skipper's efficiency.

#4 Steven Smith (Australia)

England v Australia – ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm Up

Steve Smith is returning to the Australian setup after a year-long ban and will have all eyes on him when he steps on to the field against Afghanistan. A technically gifted batsman capable of threading gaps with ease, Smith eased towards a century against England in the warm-up game and could be expected to lead the way for the defending champions.

#5 Jos Buttler (wk) (England)

Buttler's form will be key to England's success

Jos Buttler is one of the best finishers in world cricket currently. He has been in a rich vein of form for the past two years and has been taking bowlers to the cleaners, hitting them out of the park at will. He will undoubtedly hold the aces for the hosts in the death overs and could prove a nightmare for the opposition bowlers with his ability to strike the ball to all parts of the ground.

All-Rounders

#6 Andre Russell (West Indies)

West Indies v New Zealand – ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm Up

In the recent past, much talk has happened circling Jamaican Andre Russell's pyrotechnics with the bat in hand. One of the best finishers in the game, Russell's pace bowling and agile fielding makes him a complete package. With bowlers unable to stop 'Muscle Russell' from peppering the stands, the burly all-rounder will certainly be the man to watch out for.

#7 Hardik Pandya (India)

Hardik Pandya could be a match-winner for India

Hardik Pandya is yet another three-dimensional player, who can win matches with bat, ball or on the field. His performance with bat and ball were vital and helped Mumbai Indians clinch their fourth title and his big-hitting form will be crucial for India. Pandya will undoubtedly be the 'X-factor' for team India with his finishing skills, crafty pace bowling and quick fielding bound to make an impact.

Bowlers

#8 Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah will be Kohli's go-to man

The leading bowler in the ODI rankings, Jasprit Bumrah's ability to trouble batsmen with his angles and pace will be of vital importance for India in this World Cup. Bumrah has been in some exquisite form in recent times and will be India's trump card with his class up front and more importantly in the death overs.

#9 Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is another young, exciting talent and has all the qualities that a fast bowler needs to make an impact. His ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver an incisive mix of bouncers and yorkers at any time makes him one of the best bowlers in the game. Rabada will certainly need to hit peak form for South Africa to go all the way.

#10 Pat Cummins (Australia)

Cummins has been in top form this year

Patrick Cummins is one of the leading wicket takers in 2019 and will hold the key to putting a tight lid on the scoring rate and picking up wickets at crucial junctions during the tournament. Cummins' biggest plus is the fact that he provides the captain with the extra cushion of using him in any part of the innings. The pacer relies on the back of length deliveries and makes it difficult for the batsmen to hit big with the pace he extracts from the surface. Moreover, he is handy with the bat too and can chip in with some important runs lower down the order.

#11 Yuzvendra Chahal (India)

Chahal's ability to pick wickets consistently will be key for India

Chahal gets the nod ahead of the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Rashid Khan courtesy of his bowling style. Kuldeep relies on the track to extract turn and with conditions unfavourable to spinners it will become tougher for the chinaman. Rashid Khan bowls with a flatter trajectory and could be taken apart by batsmen on batting friendly conditions. Chahal,unlike the other two is one who changes his line and length, foxing batsmen with some clever variations, hence fetching a number of wickets in the recent past.

12th man - Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Gayle's attacking instinct is one of the most exciting factors

Chris Gayle, who is also known as the 'Universe Boss' has 424 runs from five matches at an average of 106.00 and a strike rate of 134.17, sending out a wave of authority with his big-hitting at the top of the order. Gayle maybe 40 years old but is still capable of making a mockery of any bowling attack in the world.