Youngsters Set to Light Up The World Cup 2015
There's no bigger stage than the World Cup. It is the biggest place to showcase one's talent and the youngsters are ready to set the stage on fire.
- Jaideep Chakrabarty
- Updated: February 10, 2015 06:49 PM IST
The ICC World Cup is just around the corner and the teams have locked and loaded their artillery. It is the biggest stage for any cricketer because the World Cup scripts cricketing fairy-tales and produces jaw-dropping miracles. It turns youngsters into heroes and heroes into legends.
Here are five extremely talented cricketers for whom this World Cup might be a tryst with super-stardom. (The Pacers Who Can Scorch the World Cup Pitches)
Â
Kane Williamson
1114 runs in 16 innings at an average of 74.26 - Kane Williamson is piling on the big scores.
This 24-year-old New Zealander made his Test debut against India back in 2010. Dressed in oversized protective gear, he looked like one of those kids in school whose lunch money is often snatched away by the bullies. But he squashed that notion immediately. Everyone raved about his potential and he lived up to the hype with a classy hundred. (The Men Who Will be Missed the Most at the ICC World Cup)
However, his ODI debut wasn't so auspicious. He got out for a duck. Although, the talent was evident, most weren't convinced about his striking ability in the limited format of the game. Striking at 90.20, Williamson has put all those doubts to rest.
In the last 18 months, New Zealand has been in phenomenal form - they have a solid batting unit, an efficient bowling group and they field like madmen but the hopes of McCullum and Co. lifting the Cup, lies squarely on the shoulders of this five-feet something Kiwi batsman.
Steve Smith
© AP
Australia go into the World Cup as firm favourites. They have a lethal bowling machinery but there are a few gaping holes in the middle-order. Australia still have doubts over Michael Clarke's fitness and George Bailey's form but one man though, has covered for it quite remarkably -- Steve Smith.
Unattractive but effective -- that's the only way one can define Steve Smith -- the batsman. The 25-year-old Aussie started his career imitating Shane Warne's walk, skip and jump bowling action but soon switched his trade. This summer, the Indian bowlers found out why he did so. Taking over the captaincy from an injured Clarke, Smith amassed 600-plus runs and literally, batted India out of the series. His purple patch got darker during the ODIs. (From Cinema to ICC Cricket World Cup)
He is gutsy, unflappable and a big match player -- he not only scores runs, he scores when they matter the most. Don't be surprised if the Australian cricketer of the year churns out a Waugh-ish performance in this World Cup.
Trent Boult
© AFP
Jog your memories back to 2012 Hyderabad. India were playing New Zealand and in the 5th ball of the 34th over of the Indian innings, Sachin Tendulkar got his middle stump uprooted. That was Trent Boult's claim to fame.
Only 17 wickets in 15 ODIs, yet Boult will have massive say in the World Cup. He isn't a tear-away fast bowler. At best, he's sharp-ish but his biggest weapon is the one that swings in to the right-handers. (South Africa Pin Hopes on Golden Generation)
He is in ripe form and has been instrumental in New Zealand's recent success. He has paired up with Tim Southee to form a dangerous tag-team and in their own backyard, they will be a handful. Limited overs cricket may be a batsman's game but this World Cup, keep an eye-out for the "one that comes in" from this left-arm Kiwi seamer.
Joe Root
© AFP
This unassuming England batsman perhaps is one of the most efficient with the willow in hand. Don't go by his gawky appearance, this slender Yorkshireman is known for his stubbornness at the crease. Not a power-hitter, Root relies on precision and innovation -- an aberration for most English batsmen.
Averaging 40 in the ODI format, Root can bat at almost every position -- he can open, come in the middle or finish off the innings with the tail. And he does all that with a smile on his face. Already dubbed as a future leader for the England team, Root has a sharp cricketing acumen and can mould his game according to the situations. Without Kevin Pietersen in the side, the onus will be on this young Englishman to anchor the middle-order, if England harbour any hopes of winning this World Cup. (Muttiah Muralidaran: It Will be Hard Work for Spinners at the ICC Cricket World Cup)
Ajinkya Rahane
© AFP
Not many things have gone right for India in the last three months, except the emergence of Ajinkya Rahane. The recently-concluded tri-series showcased the vulnerabilities of the much famed Indian batting line-up. Apart from Virat Kohli, none has inspired much confidence with their fragile techniques against the bouncing ball.
Rahane has been steady. (Has The Break Helped India Come Back Revitalised Ahead Of The World Cup?)
The 26-year-old has had a fruitful Test career but in ODIs, he still needs to earn his stripes. This World Cup could well be his tournament. The Mumbaikar is blessed with a solid technique and India might back him to repair their shaky top-order.
He has the ability to rotate the strike and scores at a fair clip. However, he also has the knack of throwing away his wicket after reaching a milestone. If Rahane can mend that temperamental flaw, he could become India's mainstay in this World Cup. India is heavily reliant on Virat Kohli's prowess but this World Cup, they would be well advised to bank on Rahane's solidity.