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Sachin Tendulkar: The batting legend will be playing his sixth World Cup in the 2011 edition. Tendulkar, who needs only three more tons to have an aggregate of 100 international centuries, has scored 17629 runs in the 444 ODIs he has played at an average of 44.97 and strike rate of 86.18.
· Virender Sehwag: The dashing Indian opening batsman averages almost 20 runs less in ODIs than he does in Tests, which is a bit of an anamoly considering he is an aggressive batsman and his game is suited to the 50-over format. Sehwag, who will be playing in his third World Cup, would also be keen to improve his record in the mega-event.
· Jacques Kallis: This will be the 35-year-old Kallis's fifth World Cup and the South African legend would be desperately keen to play his part in South Africa's bid to win the 2011 edition. Kallis has scored over 11,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, and has also taken more than 500 international wickets; and is widely considered to be the best all-rounder of all time along with Sir Garfield Sobers.
· Kumar Sangakkara: The Sri Lankan captain will need to be at his best both in front of and behind the wickets apart from being spot on with his decisions on the field if the co-hosts are to repeat their triumph of 1996. Sangakkara is yet to score a century in World Cups, and he would be desperately keen to put that record straight in the 2011 World Cup.
· Kevin Pietersen: Inventor of the 'Switch Hit', Pietersen is likely to open the innings for England in the 2011 World Cup, and this move could just be the impetus the Poms need at the top of the order in the 50-over format.
· Chris Gayle: With the burden of captaincy lifted from his shoulders, the tall and aggressive Jamaican left-hander, will be expected to play a key role as West Indies sets out on another attempt to reclaim some of its lost glory. Gayle has a healthy average of 39.00 in ODIs, but his record in World Cups - 434 runs in 15 matches at an average of 28.
· Virat Kohli: He was not only the most prolific Indian batsman in ODIs in 2010 but also finished the year as the second-highest run-scorer in the 50-over format behind South Africa's Hashim Amla. Kohli scored 995 runs including three centuries and seven half-centuries in 24 innings at an average of 47.38 and strike rate of 85.
· Graeme Smith: This is his last tournament at the helm, and Smith would want to be the first South African captain to lift an ICC World Cup trophy. Smith has scored eight centuries in ODIs, but none in World Cup matches so far, and the strapping southpaw will have to correct that if South Africa is to do well in the 2011 World Cup.
· Cameron White: Victoria's captain is set to feature in his first ICC 50-over World Cup for Australia. When on song, White can tear apart any bowling attack, and Australia will be desperately hoping he regains his touch during the tournament.
· Tamim Iqbal: He set up Bangladesh's memorable win over India in the 2007 World Cup, and has enhanced his reputation since then. Tamim is currently one of the only two Bangladesh players who can walk into any world side, and he would be expected to play a key role if the co-hosts are to progress to the knockout stages of the 2011 World Cup.
· Tillakaratne Dilshan: Watch out for the 'Dilscoop' when this aggressive Sri Lankan opening batsman is in the middle. Dilshan has grown in confidence and stature since 2009, and is now regarded as one of the most attacking batsmen in all three formats of the game.
· Hashim Amla: A vital cog in South Africa's top-order, Amla was the highest run-scorer in ODIs in 2010. A technically correct batsman, Amla keeps the scoreboard ticking over without taking too many risks, and the Proteas would want this cool customer to continue his run-scoring spree in the 2011 World Cup and beyond.
· Misbah-ul-Haq: Pakistan's vice-captain will be playing in his first ICC 50-over World Cup, and would be looking to continue his good form from the recent tour of New Zealand, expecially taking into account that his team is well-known for self-destructing.
· AB de Villiers: One of the few South African batsmen who can play spinners with ease, de Villiers will also have to double up as wicket-keeper, a role he has performed in recent months, in the 2011 World Cup. De Villiers has all the shots in the book and can adjust his game based on the match situation.
· Brendon McCullum: He is happiest when batting at the top of the order, and should he continue to bat in that slot in the 2011 World Cup, opposition bowlers can be in for a torrid time. McCullum has the tendency to throw away his wicket, and as one of the few reliable batsmen in New Zealand's squad, he will have to adopt a more cautious approach if the Black Caps are to do well in the tournament.
· Ross Taylor: New Zealand's immensely talented vice-captain loves playing in the sub-continent, and Taylor will have to be at his aggressive and consistent best to help New Zealand overcome its ODI blues and leave a positive impression on the 2011 World Cup.
· Yusuf Pathan: The hard-hitting Yusuf, who is a lower middle-order batsman, is the 'X' factor in India's batting line-up. In the last three months, Yuusf has played three memorable knocks, two of which he converted into centuries as he put the New Zealand and South African bowling attacks to the sword.
· Ed Joyce: The former England international has returned to his country of birth and will represent Ireland in the 2011 World Cup. Ireland are more than happy that Joyce has been allowed to turn out for them, and the left-handed batsman would want to justify the faith reposed in him.
· Darren Bravo: The half-brother of Dwayne Bravo, Darren has made a positive impression since his international debut in June 2009. A talented batsman who has the shots and temperament to succeed at the highest level, the 22-year-old would want to enhance his reputation during the 2011 World Cup.
· Brendan Taylor: Zimbabwe's wicket-keeper batsman would be expected to continue scoring runs at the top of the order and give his side a good platform to build their innings on during the 2011 World Cup. Taylor, who favorite shot is the front-foot cover drive, is a delight to watch on his day.
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