Why these 15 should be picked in Team India for World Cup

On Tuesday, millions of cricket faithful will wait anxiously for 15 names on whose shoulders will rest the crushing load of a nation's expectations. But before the selectors announce the 2015 World Cup squad, TOI decided to pick its own 15.

It was anything but easy. The Cup will be played in Australia and New Zealand, two countries with vastly different playing conditions. A suitable squad had to be versatile and balanced to handle the different situations.

It was decided to restrict the team to three openers. There was a strong case made for a fourth, Murali Vijay.

The Chennai opener is in stunning Test form. But the harsh truth was that his highest in 14 ODI games is a sad 33. He last played an ODI in July 2013. That went against him.

The most contentious, as well as sentimental, name was of Yuvraj Singh. In the end, his experience and will to win clinched the deal in his favour in a relatively young squad.

Robin Uthappa too had his backers. But he was pipped by Ambati Rayudu. There was little to choose between the two as keepers but Rayudu is a more reliable batter.