World Cup 2015: 11 Probable Changes in Team India From 2011 World Cup

India are all set to defend their title next year in the World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. From 2011 to 2014, Indian cricket has gone through some changes and we will see lots of new faces donning the Team India jersey in the World Cup 2015. Considering the current scenario, apart from MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Aswhin and Suresh Raina, no other player from the team that won the World Cup in 2011, is sure about his place in the team for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. In fact, there is a very little chance of anyone else making a comeback before the World Cup. It’s true that there’s still some time left before the World Cup and players can still force their way in to the team. But, considering the current scenario, it is looking highly unlikely.

In this piece, we have prepared the list of cricketers who will replace the stars of the 2011 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

SACHIN TENDULKAR

Sachin Tendulkar, who was not just a very important member of the squad, but also the inspiration for many of his teammates to win the World Cup, will be replaced by his Mumbai teammate Rohit Sharma. Rohit, who recently played a historic knock of 264 runs against Sri Lanka, is now India’s first-choice opener in limited overs cricket.

VIRENDER SEHWAG

Virender Sehwag will be replaced by his Delhi teammate Shikhar Dhawan, who has established a big name for himself as India’s aggressive batsman at the top of the order. In 2015 World Cup, Dhawan will take the responsibility of giving the aggressive starts and setting the platform for the rest of the batting unit.

GAUTAM GAMBHIR

Gautam Gambhir, who played a very crucial in the final of the 2011 World Cup, is going through a horrible patch and his return to the side before the 2015 World Cup is looking highly unlikely. Many believe that Gambhir can still make a comeback, but if he doesn’t, Mumbai’s Ajinkya Rahane will take his place in the squad.

YUVRAJ SINGH

The man of the tournament of the 2011 World Cup is also struggling to make a comeback and there are huge doubts over his comeback. Although, Yuvraj is trying his best by playing in all the domestic tournaments, he didn’t do much with the bat in the Vijay Hazare trophy and he has looked completely out of touch since the T20 World Cup 2014 in Bangaldesh. Yuvraj Singh batted at No. 5 in the batting order for India in 2011 World Cup, but now, that place belongs to Suresh Raina, who has been in a spectacular form in the limited overs cricket. In the squad, he will replaced by Ambati Rayudu.

HARBHAJAN SINGH

The Sardar from Jalandhar played a big role in India’s triumph in the 2011 World Cup, but he isn’t going to be a part of India’s squad in the 105 World Cup. Harbhajan hasn’t played international cricket since a very long and with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad, there is no chance that selectors will pick him in the World Cup squad.

ZAHEER KHAN

India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup Zaheer Khan is no where in the picture as far as India’s World Cup 2105 squad is concerned. He will be replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has emerged as India’s most reliable fast bowler in limited overs cricket, in the last 18 months or so.

YUSUF PATHAN

The hard-hitting all-rounder from Baroda hasn’t been in the best of form since the 2011 World Cup, and his place in the team has been taken by Ravindra Jadeja, who offers a lot more with the ball and is also capable of hitting the big ones.

MUNAF PATEL

Munaf Patel was a very surprising selection in 2011 World Cup, but he bowled well in the tournament and took some very crucial wickets for India. But, just like Zaheer, he is no where in the scene for the World Cup 2015. He will be replaced by Shami Ahmed.

ASHISH NEHRA

Nehra was another surprise selection, but just like Munaf, he also bowled well. His spell in the semi-final against Pakistan was very crucial and he received lots of praise for that spell. In the 2015 World Cup, he will replaced by his Delhi teammate Ishant Sharma.

SHANTHAKUMARAN SREESANTH

Sreesanth, who was banned by the BCCI after his name came out in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, will be replaced by Umesh Yadav in India’s World Cup 2015 squad.