India XI: Players who have been ignored for the 2015 Cricket World Cup

Last week, the Indian selectors in consultation with skipper MS Dhoni selected the 15-man squad that will represent Team India at the upcoming World Cup next month. The side was more or less on expected lines with Stuart Binny being the only surprise selection. This team was picked from the list of 30 probables that was announced earlier last month.While there is no doubt about the fact that the selectors would have arrived at a decision after considering all the possible options, one cannot help but feel sorry for the 15 probables who missed the chance to represent their country on the biggest stage of all. Given that they made it to the list of probables, they certainly have it in them to play at the highest level and hopefully someday they will.Moreover, there are a few active players who have had an amazing run this domestic season and somewhere down the line deserved a lookup. Considering all of the above, we have picked a team from these probables and these active players. A team that could have represent India given the talent that it has.Let’s take a look at who is part of the team:P.S: Apart from the probables, some players have been picked based on their Ranji and List A performances this season.

#1 Virender Sehwag

Viru, as Virender Sehwag is also known as, is easily the biggest impact player of his generation. His ‘see the ball, hit the ball’ theory revolutionised opening batting in both the Test and One-Day formats. He was not included in the list of 30 probables for the World Cup owing to some really indifferent performances in the recent past. However, Viru has been in great touch this Ranji season and has proved it that he is far from finished.

In the previous World Cup, the Delhi dasher amassed 380 runs at an average of 47.50 and a blazing strike rate of 122.58. In almost every game, he gave Team India a blistering start and provided a strong platform for the other batsmen to build upon. However, his form has dipped ever since and the slowing down of his reflexes has affected his game largely. He still remains a destructive player though on his day.

In the current Ranji season, Sehwag has scored 365 runs at a very good average of almost 61, including 2 centuries. In spite of being written off by fans and experts alike, he has not given up yet as he continues to ply his trade in the domestic circuit.

In IPL 7, he scored 315 runs at a strike-rate of 144.44. His century in the 2nd qualifier vs Chennai helped the Kings XI Punjab set a daunting target which CSK could not achieve in the end.