10 most debatable selections/omissions in 2015 World Cup

10 most debatable selections/omissions in 2015 World Cup: As all the participating teams declared their 15 man squads for the 2015 edition of the ICC World Cup, experts and fans started to raise eyebrows at some of the players who were selected and some who were omitted from the final 15. Here are 10 of such players whose omission or selection raised are still debated. (Note: The list is not in any particular order.) 1. Yuvraj Singh (India) Last edition’s Man of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh has had a horrid run after the World cup. (Photo Source: ICC) Last edition’s Man of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh has had a horrid run after the World cup. First his battle with cancer and then his return to cricket was a journey of lots of ups and downs. He was out of form after he regained his fitness but was recalled for the Australia ODI series in 2013, but failed with the bat completely in a series where 300 runs were made in each match. His innings in the finals of the World T20, which India lost, also got major criticism from former players and fans alike and he did not play for India since then. Yuvraj was not included in the 30 man squad for the World cup but got into serious contention with 3 consecutive centuries in Ranji trophy on the eve of selections. But the selectors went for Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel instead of Yuvraj. Though they have mentioned that Yuvraj is on the back up for Jadeja, it seems highly unlikely that the Punjab south paw will feature in the mega event. 2. Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) Whatever be the reason, West Indies will definitely miss his captaincy. (Photo Source: Associated Press) Dwayne Bravo’s exclusion from the West Indies squad for World cup was the biggest surprise for cricket fraternity. Former ODI captain was also not selected for the tour to New Zealand, despite being West Indies’ most charismatic and multi-talented player. Bravo was the captain when West Indies left their tour of India in middle due to contract disputes between the players and the board and it is speculated that he has been punished for that by sacking him from the team and captaincy. Whatever be the reason, West Indies will definitely miss his captaincy, enthusiasm, athletic ability and most important, his experience in the World cup. 3. Farhaan Behardian (South Africa) Behardien has played some good innings in the provincial T20 tournament. (Photo Source: Associated Press) The first of this list’s debatable selection is that of Farhaan Behardien. Behardian who averages just 22 in ODIs and does not bowl much, was selected in the team while the likes of Robin Petersen and Ryan McLaren were given the cold shoulder for the marquee event. Behardien has played some good innings in the provincial T20 tournament, but his selection is highly debated amongst the South African fans owing to his recent ODI form and record. 4. Kieron Pollard (West Indies) An all-rounder, Pollard is known for his six hitting prowess in the end of innings and his medium pace bowling comes in handy in tricky situations. (Photo Source: AFP) Another big name missing from West Indies 15 man squad is the big hitting giant Kieron Pollard. Pollard was seen as an accomplice to Dwayne Bravo in the tour of India abandonment saga and despite being successful stint in BBL, Pollard was not considered for selection. An all-rounder, Pollard is known for his six hitting prowess in the end of innings and his medium pace bowling comes in handy in tricky situations. The whole of West Indies are dumbfounded at Pollard’s exclusion from the side. 5. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) When Sri Lanka announced their 15 man squad for the World Cup, their fans were amazed not to see the name of mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. (Photo Source : AFP). When Sri Lanka announced their 15 man squad for the World Cup, their fans were amazed not to see the name of mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. Sri Lankan selectors went with leg spinner Jeevan Mendis, giving the reason that his batting can come in handy in last overs. But few agreed with that argument since Ajantha Mendis was the highest wicket taker in ODIs last year along with India’s Mohammad Shami with 38 wickets. He was also chosen in the ICC World ODI side. His form and such accolades should have made him an automatic selection for the World Cup, but the selectors decided to go in with Sachitra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis and Rangana Herath as their spin options on the Australian and New Zealand pitches. 6. Nathan Lyon (Australia) He had recently took 23 wickets against the Indian side in Border-Gavaskar trophy. (Photo Source: Associated Press) In form Nathan Lyon had admitted that he wanted to be a part of the Australian squad for the World cup 2015 which will be played at home. He had recently took 23 wickets against the Indian side in Border-Gavaskar trophy. But Australian selectors went ahead with the option of ODI and T20 specialist Xavier Doherty and Glen Maxwell as spin options for the World Cup. Though Doherty has been a part of Australian limited overs side for quite some time, Lyon was speculated to be in the squad owing to his superior bowling form. Nathan Lyon was reported to be disappointed at the omission, but said that he will support the team whole heartedly. 7. Ryan McLaren (South Africa) Ryan McLaren played 14 ODIs in 2014 and picked up 24 wickets. (Photo Source: AFP) The most surprise elimination was of Ryan McLaren of South Africa. The all-rounder was not selected and preference was given to Wayne Parnell and Farhaan Behardien. McLaren who took over from the great Jacques Kallis was not picked, was the second highest wicket taker for the Proteas in 2014. Wayne Parnell was picked in his place due to his ability to bowl at high speed and hit some lusty blows at the end of the innings. Ryan McLaren played 14 ODIs in 2014 and picked up 24 wickets at just with the economy of 4.60 runs per over. Though he didn’t impress with the bat. 8. Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka) (Photo Source: AFP) Opener Upul Tharanga had just made his comeback in the Sri Lankan side after a year’s hiatus and looked in good form in the home series against England. He was definitely inline for a World cup berth. But the selectors decided to stick with the opening partnership of TM Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene/ Dimuth Karunaratne. Tharanga who previously played in the 2007 and 2011 editions of the World Cup. He performed remarkably well in the 2011 edition, scoring 395 runs. He also scored centuries against Zimbabwe and England. Sri Lankan selectors decided to overlook the experience of Tharanga for the dual role of Jeevan Mendis in the upcoming 2015 edition. 9. Alastair Cook (England) Cook has expressed immense shock and sadness over his axing, but even he would know, that this was a decision the selectors had to make. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The England test captain was in midst of a yearlong drama involving the English cricket board, himself and former teammate Kevin Pietersen. The unceremonious sacking of Pietersen was supported by Cook and he was publicly called names by the former star batsman after Cook said that Pietersen was the reason behind England’s 5-0 Ashes loss in Australia. Cook was also going through a horrid phase form wise with continuous failures in series against India at home and Sri Lanka recently. Though the selectors had stood by Cook through this phase, the voices were getting louder and louder demanding his sacking from the ODI team. The selectors swallowed the bitter pill and not only sacked Cook as the ODI captain, but also excluded him from the World Cup 15 man squad. Cook has expressed immense shock and sadness over his axing, but even he would know, that this was a decision the selectors had to make. 10. Stuart Binny (India) Stuart Binny in the Indian team for the 2015 Cricket World cup. (Photo Source: AFP) The most polarising selection of all has been that of all-rounder Stuart Binny in the Indian team for the 2015 Cricket World cup. It is important to notice that Stuart’s father and former World cup winner Roger Binny is the current chief of selectors, but he was reported not to be a part of discussion when his son’s name came up and he left the room during the discussion. But it is evident that Stuart’s selection has raised some eyebrows not only amongst the fans, but also some former players. Binny is a medium pace bowler and a lower order batsman. His claim to fame in international cricket has been the match winning 78 runs in the Lord’s test and the best Indian bowling figures record of 6 wickets for 4 runs against Bangladesh in ODIs. Stuart Binny as selected with mindset that the pitches used in matches in New Zealand aid medium pace bowling and he would be the ideal partner for Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Nevertheless his selection in place of last edition’s man of the tournament Yuvraj Singh as an all-rounder has become a topic of controversy.

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10 most debatable selections/omissions in 2015 World Cup

5. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)

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