Ashwin only Indian in NDTV's dream team for World Cup 2015
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World Cup 2015 is about to be over and the Melbourne Cricket Ground will see Australia take on co-hosts New Zealand in the final. There have been quite a few star performers in the World Cup and NDTV's expert panelists, Ian Chappell, Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman came together to pick the 'Dream Team' of 2015 World Cup. (Vettori Key for New Zealand: Dhoni )
The choice of the openers revolved around three men, the New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, his opening partner Martin Guptill and India's Shikhar Dhawan.
Chappell, Lara and Gavaskar picked McCullum and Guptill while Laxman went for the left-handed Dhawan. (Trent Boult-Mitchell Starc Face-Off )
"I feel Dhawan has been exceptional in this World Cup", said Laxman, who felt theleft-hander's addition would have given the team some variety.
The middle-order was an easy pick. The men in form picked themselves, Kumar Sangakkara, Steve Smith and AB de Villiers.
Laxman though, opted for David Miller in place of Smith. (Finch Looks to Thrive Again in Melbourne )
The all-rounder's spot was taken up by Glenn Maxwell and Corey Anderson. Lara though, sided up with Ravichandran Ashwin as his all-rounder while, Laxman wanted the Aussie James Faulkner in.
The experts hit a block while picking the spinners. Lara and Chappell picked the leg-spinner Imran Tahir while Gavaskar and Laxman went for the fellow Indian Ashwin. However, it came as a surprise though, the wily operator from New Zealand, Daniel Vettori didn't find a place in the side. Vettori. incidentally, is the most successful spinner in this World Cup.
The two lead pacers were chosen unanimously. Two in-form left-armers Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc strolled into the side.
"The two pacers pick themselves", said Gavaskar.
The third pacer perhaps, was the toughest choice. With Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Shami, Sohail Khan, Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee in the mix, the experts were in a fix.
"I wanted to pick Wahab", said Chappell, "but I will go for Yadav because he can move the ball at pace."
Lara went for Shami, "I think, this World Cup, he's been very good."
Laxman and Gavaskar though picked Tim Southee over the rest.
NDTV 2015 World Cup Dream XI - Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), AB de Villiers, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Corey Anderson, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Tim Southee
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