The Men Who Will be Missed the Most at the ICC World Cup

The 2015 edition of the World Cup will see 14 nations clash for the title. The tournament begins on February 14 while the final will be played on March 29. Here are the top five players who will not grace the big stage this time round:

1. YUVRAJ SINGH

The player who will perhaps be missed the most in this World Cup is India's Yuvraj Singh. The Man of the Tournament of the last World Cup was not included in the final 15 man Indian squad, despite good form in domestic cricket. The 33-year-old last played for India in an ODI in December 2013. Yuvraj scored 362 runs in 9 matches in the last edition of the World Cup, with 4 fifties and a century. Most cricket fans feel Yuvraj still has a lot of cricket left in him and that he should have been part of the squad. But barring a miracle, Yuvraj will probably not play another World Cup for India.

2. KEVIN PIETERSEN

Kevin Pietersen is a tried and tested game changer, but then he will not play for England, perhaps ever again. Pietersen, who has a strike rate of over 86 in ODIs would have been a key player for England as they eye their maiden World title. The 34-year-old's career was cut short by the England and Wales Cricket Board in February last year after rumoured breaches of team discipline and ethics by the flamboyant batsman. In the 2011 edition of the World Cup, KP had to go back home with a hernia problem after playing just 3 matches.

3. SAEED AJMAL

Pakistan will be without the services of their premier spinner, Saeed Ajmal. The off-spinner will not be part of the World Cup, because he is still suspended by the ICC for a suspect bowling action. Interestingly, Ajmal withdrew himself from Pakistan's World Cup squad, after being named in the initial 30-man squad. The PCB also postponed his official ICC test. The 37 year old, who has bagged 183 ODI wickets so far, worked on his action with former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, before undergoing official ICC retesting on his remodeled bowling action in Chennai on Saturday.

4. KIERON POLLARD

Very few batsmen in world cricket can be as destructive as Kieron Pollard. The swashbuckling batsman can turn a match on its head with his powerful willow, but he will not be allowed to do that in this World Cup. The West Indian player boycott of the tour of India last year, in which Pollard might have played a role, could be the reason for Pollard getting the axe. The 27-year-old, who scored 180 runs in 7 matches, at an average of 30 in the last edition of the World Cup might be sorely missed in the Windies lower middle order.

5. DWAYNE BRAVO

West Indian all rounder Dwayne Bravo's exclusion raised quite a few eyebrows. In a surprising move, the Windies selectors chose to ignore their regular ODI captain in the 15-man World Cup squad. The 31-year-old, who has played 164 ODIs is a very handy all-rounder and is one of the most effective bowlers in world cricket in the death overs. With both bat and ball, Bravo can be a match winner. Bravo's possible role in the player boycott of the tour of India last year could be the reason why he was not picked for the World Cup, even though the West Indian selectors have maintained that that has nothing to do with their decision to not pick Bravo for the World Cup.