THOSE WHO HAVE RETIRED SINCE ’11 CUP...
Shoaib Akhtar: The Pakistan fast bowler is best remembered for his superb duel with Sachin Tendulkar during the 2003 World Cup. He always evoked awe and respect from the opposition for his fearsome spells. Inarguably, he was Pakistan's most feared pacer after the Wasim Akram-Waqar Younis era.
Paul Collingwood: He had been England’s most trusted and the most capped player in the shorter format of the game. A useful medium pacer and a superb fielder to boot, besides his batting, Collingwood’s attacking flair was his biggest asset. For all his qualities he was often dubbed as an underachiever.
Michael Hussey:If there was one batsman the Aussies looked up to in a crisis or when it came to holding the innings together, it was Michael Hussey. He was part of the World Cup-winning side in 2007 under Ricky Ponting. He will pass on his vast knowledge and experience of playing in Australian conditions to the South Africans this time.
Jacques Kallis: He was undoubtedly South Africa’s most trusted all-round performer in recent times. Be it adding solidity to their batting or pitching in with useful spells, he always came to the team’s rescue when the situation demanded. Pity he wasn’t part of a World Cup-winning team.
Brett Lee: One thing that will be sorely missed in this World Cup is the express pace of Brett Lee. A part of Australia’s 2007 World Cup winning side, Lee’s electrifying pace and ability to provide breakthroughs always stood out. He will have a role to play in this World Cup as Ireland’s bowling coach.
Muttiah Muralidharan: A member of Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning team in 1996, Murali could weave magic with the ball in any format. The world’s highest wicket-taker, Murali was also a member of the team that lost to India in the 2011 final at the Wankhede. He played in five World Cups.
Ricky Ponting: Australia’s World Cup-winning captain in 2003 and 2007, Ponting failed to give them their third consecutive trophy when they lost to India in the quarter finals in Ahmedabad. As far as World Cup performances go, he will be best remembered for his brilliant unbeaten 140 in the 2003 final at the Wanderers. Ponting never shirked responsibility and always led from the front.
Graeme Smith: The former South African captain led in two World Cups, 2007 and 2011. Though he helped South Africa achieve the No.1 ranking, he failed to break their Cup hoodoo. Regardless of whether or not the chokers tag is justified, it is a label that the current Proteas side has to live with.
Andrew Strauss: The former England captain’s superb century against India in Bangalore in the last World Cup will rank as one of the best innings. However, England’s inconsistency led to their dismal show. England turned out to be the biggest bunnies in the last edition following their shock losses to Ireland and Bangladesh in the early stages.
Graeme Swann: Regarded as one of the best off-spinners in recent times, Swann formed an integral part of the England side in the last edition. He wasn’t a regular with the one-day side but chipped in with useful performances when it mattered.
Sachin tendulkar: Having played six World Cups, the Master could finally lay his hands on the coveted trophy in his sixth and final attempt in 2011. The closest he came to winning it before that was in 2003 when India lost to Australia in the final at the Wanderers.
...& THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN RETAINED
Saeed Ajmal: He was considered one of the best off-spinners of modern-day cricket before being reported for an illegal bowling action. He underwent remedial work under the supervision of Saqlain Mushtaq but couldn’t clear the ICC test in time for PCB to keep him in the World Cup squad. However, his action has been recently okayed by the ICC. One wonders if the good news came too late for Pakistan.
Kamran Akmal: The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman couldn’t live up to the expectations. Despite playing 154 one-dayers, he has been in and out of the team often, his biggest problem being inconsistency. He played his last ODI in June 2013, against India, in Birmingham. Flirting with controversies too hasn’t helped his carrer.
Dwayne Bravo: A proven all-rounder, Dwayne’s recent row with the West Indies Cricket Board cost him his place in the Windies squad. He was the captain of the side till a few months back and now he is not in the team for the most important tournament. The loss, of course, is bigger for the team since having someone with almost 3000 ODI runs and 199 wickets in the XI would certainly have helped West Indies in their Cup campaign.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul: The veteran of many a battle, Chanderpaul last played an ODI in the 2011 World Cup. His unusual technique never came in the way of him being one of the most dependable batsmen in the West Indies team. He played 268 ODIs and made almost 9000 runs.
Umar Gul: The Pakistan pacer was once an immaculate bowler, but injuries robbed him of his rhythm. Possessing exceptional control, the 30-year-old became a regular member of the side in 2009. He played the last of his 125 ODIs in December 2014, against New Zealand, in Dubai and has a knee injury.
Kevin Pietersen: His glorious innings on the cricket field came to a halt for very un-cricketing reasons. A fabulous batsman in any format, Pietersen’s relationship with the then team director Andy Flower and also with some of the teammates made the ECB throw out one of the most successful batsmen to have ever played for England. His last appearance for England was in the Ashes, in January 2014, while his last ODI was in September 2013.
Jesse Ryder: A talented left-handed batsman, the New Zealander played a few flamboyant innings in his short career, which overflowed with controversies. Ryder last played an ODI in January 2014, when he took the field against India in Wellington. He recently made a comeback to cricket and there was speculation on whether he would make it to the World Cup squad, but New Zealand Cricket decided that he wasn’t ready yet.
Virender Sehwag: The colourful opener played his last one-dayer for India in January 2013, against Pakistan. Sehwag didn’t only destroy opposition attacks, in a way he self-destructed his own career as well, often being too adventurous with his choice of shots. An entertainer to the core, Sehwag was also the owner for the highest score in ODIs (219) for some time.
YUVRAJ SINGH: The Player of the Tournament in 2011 is not even a part of India’s 15-member squad this time. Yuvraj’s dramatic career saw him fight against odds as extreme as cancer and come out victorious as well. But this time he failed to impress the selectors and the team management enough to find a place in India’s Cup squad. His last ODI was in December 2013, versus South Africa.
THE WITHDRAWALS...
Mohammed Hafeez: The all-rounder was considered to be a vital cog in the Pakistan wheel. But an ankle injury cost him his place.
Junaid Khan: The left-arm pacer was ruled out of the World Cup after failing a fitness test, following a hamstring injury he picked up during training.
Tim Murtagh: Ireland’s seam-bowling hope was ruled out of the Cup with a fractured foot. He picked up the injury in early January during a practice session.
Sunil Narine: The highly-rated offie withdrew from the tournament saying he needs more time to work on his controversial action.
Dhammika Prasad: The Lankan pacer fractured his left hand while attempting a return catch off his bowling during a practice session and had to return home.
Ishant Sharma: Failure to recover in time from a knee injury meant that India’s pace spearhead was ruled out. He has been replaced by Mohit Sharma.
& THE DOUBTFULS...
Michael Clarke: The Australia captain has a fragile body and has already been ruled out of the opener. It remains to be seen if he has recovered fully from a hamstring surgery.
James Faulkner: The Australian all-rounder suffered a side injury during the tri-series final. The Aussies are planning to play him as a specialist batsman.
Sohail Khan: The Pakistan pacer picked up a calf-muscle strain during the warm-up match versus Bangladesh. He has been advised a few days’ rest.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: No one is quite sure about the Indian seamer’s fitness status. He bowled just five overs during the warm-up tie versus Australia and didn’t play against Afghanistan.
