2015 ICC 50-over World Cup: Ideal Indian playing 11

Despite the exit of a number of Indianbig shots from One Day Interntionals, either retired or have become outoffavour,I believe that this side is very muchsettled and dangerous at the same time. With an interesting mix of experience and youth, and an abundance of the latter, itmakes the Indian team a formidable outfit.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Leading the Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians has helped Rohit Sharma gain lots of confidence. Not only that, I believe, in Rohit, India have also got a backup option for MS Dhoni, to take over thecaptaincy mantle. His place in the 2015 World Cup squad is almost confirmed,and his opening partnershipswith Shikhar Dhawan is something towatch out for.

However, he needs to perform well in Indiasupcoming tours of England and Australia to cement his spot.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

His somewhat late entry into the Indian team proved to berather beneficial, both for him and the team,due to his extensive experience. The 28-year-oldsskill and resiliencecombined withaggression makes him theperfect fit for that opening spotand also a more than perfect replacement for Virender Sehwag, whose form hasstarted deteriorating sincethe 2011 World Cup.

Not much doubts over his spot in the side, but successin England would prove that he is completely ready for the upcoming World Cup.

#3 Virat Kohli

Kohli is someone who needs absolutely no introduction,and hisperformances in the last four years make himIndias best ODI batsman, if not worlds best, in the time period. With remarkable consistency, he is the man of the hourand,more importantly, hasan endless zeal to perform for his country, too.

There are no doubts in him doing wellin England.What he would like to do,however,is keep a tab on his aggressive attitude on the field.

#4 Suresh Raina

The recently concluded IPL and Bangladesh tour would have been a confidence-booster for the 27-year-old,whose form has been through several ups and downs recently. However, his skill as not only a batsmanbut also as a fielder is undoubted by the cricket fraternity.

With some backing by his favorite captain,Raina should be able to gethis lost spot back, more so when his replacements in Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu have done nothing of note.

However, more than anyone,it is this man who needs to perform in the upcoming England ODI series and convince the selectors. He will be under pressure this summer,and he needs to make sure that doesnt get to his head, to affect hisperformance onthe field.

#5 Yuvraj Singh

This by far is the most controversial pick in this side. Yuvraj Singh has struggled to find his form back after his return to the Indian team. However, there will be only a few who will doubt this mans batting talent and his ability to take away the game from the opponents.

His performancesin the 2011 World Cup despite being not at his bestshowed the world what he ismade of. The 32-year-oldsinclusion in theIndian squad forthe England tour seems highlyunlikelyconsidering he is not even a part of the India A squad to play against Australia in Australianext month.

But,if he is given achance for the equally challengingtours lined up after the England series, I believe,he could prove his case.

#6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

One of the worlds best ODI batsmen,there is absolutely no force in the universe that can stop him from leading the Indian team in the 2015 World Cup.

Although the recent results may suggest otherwise, he is the best bet India have got for donning the captaincy role at the moment.Dhoni would also like to keep in mind that,most likely,it will be his last World Cup;he has,in the past,expressed his ideas to retire early.Let us hopethat the 32-year-old has more years of international cricket left in him.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja

Indias first choice all-rounder at the moment, Ravindra Jadeja is under his absolute best under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. The fact that the Indian team lacks all-rounders,and the balance that they can lend the team,makes himan absolutelyimportant inclusion in the side.

With the larger grounds in Australia, he needs to add more power to his shots and learn to tackle short stuff aimed at himto excel in his finishing role for India.

#8 Ravichandaran Ashwin

Ashwin is undoubtedly the senior-most in-form spinner in this current Indian team,and its high time for him to take control of the spin department. With the proper batting cushion he gives, the off-spinneris too talented to risk his position for the World Cup, but he needs to make sure that he convinces the selectors of the same before the World Cup begins.

With pitches there not assisting spin bowling, he would be looking forward to being more consistent with his line and length, and not lose his plot by trying variations, something he has been found guilty of in the past.

#9 Mohit Sharma

Experience is the only thing this young bowler lacks. His recent performances for the Indian team and his IPL side Chennai Super Kingsmake him the front-runner for the spot.The 25-year-oldwould be looking forward to exploiting the conditions in Englandand get an idea of bowling on the overseas decksin advance.

Goof performances in the upcoming monthswill help him cement his spot.

#10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

He is undoubtedly Indias best fast bowler at the moment. His ability to swingthe ball both ways and,at the same time, bowl at the death, as showcased in the recently concluded IPL,makes him anasset for the Indian captain. India is not known to produce to world-class fast bowling talents,but Bhuvneshwarcould very well change the perception.

#11 Mohammed Shami

Shami has had an excellent 18 months in the international arena since his debut in January 2013, against Pakistan, picking up 50 wickets in ODIs and 27 wickets in Tests at 28.96 and 29.48 respectively. Although he had a dismal IPL 2014, his quality cannot be doubted.

With the matches scheduled on decks that assist pace and bounce, his ability to bowl at 140 kmph, swing the balland extract bounce will definitely make him a force to reckon with. He needs to alleviate the recently surfaced fears,as a result of his shocking performances in the IPL,that he could bea one-season wonder like several other Indian pacers of the past, by getting back to what he does the best.