While no Indian cricketer features in ICC's 2015 World Cup team, batsmen Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Shami find a spot in legendary Brian Lara's World Cup XI
Mohammed Shami, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and (inset) Brain Lara
Melbourne: The International Cricket Council's (ICC) 2015 World Cup team may not have a single Indian cricketer in the playing XI, but West Indies legend Brian Lara has included Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami in his composite 2015 World Cup team.
Brian Lara
"Dhawan has improved a lot. So I will put him in my team along with New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum. Although McCullum failed in the final, this left-right combination can give the team an ideal start," Lara said.
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On one-drop, Lara named India vice-captain Kohli, who scored 305 runs in the World Cup at an average of 50.83, with Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara in fourth (108.20) and South Africa's AB de Villiers (96.40) fifth.
"I picked Sangakkara for the form that is he is in while the world knows about De Villiers' destructive powers. The South African is the ideal No 5 to pace the innings," the 45-year-old added.
India pacer Mohammed Shami, India opener Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli celebrates after completing his century against Pakistan during India's first World Cup group match at Adelaide Oval last month. Pics/Getty Images
Lara named Australia's Steven Smith, who scored a match-winning 105 against India in the semi-final, as the No 6 batsman. The No 7 position was the only one which proved tricky for Lara. "The No 7 position is between New Zealand's Grant Elliott and Australia's Glenn Maxwell.
Although Elliott has been one of the most consistent players in the tournament, I wanted an all-rounder in the side. I picked Maxwell since he can bowl as well and gives a good balance to my team," the southpaw said.
While crediting pacer Shami for India's entry into the semis, Lara said he was impressed by him and thus named him into the side. Shami claimed 17 wickets in the tournament at 17.29.
Australia's Mitchell Starc (22 wickets), New Zealand's Trent Boult (22), and South Africa spinner Imran Tahir (15) completed Lara's XI.
The ICC XI was picked by a panel that included Geoff Allardice (ICC General Manager — Cricket), Andrew Alderson (Journalist, New Zealand Herald), Harsha Bhogle (Broadcaster), Richard Kettleborough (Member of Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires), Chloe Saltau (Journalist, The Age) and Michael Vaughan (Former England captain and broadcaster). According to a media release, the names of Umesh Yadav (18 wickets), Shami and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (13 wickets) were discussed by the panel.
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