At pre-tournament media conference, the 10 World Cup captains were given an imaginary situation wherein they could pick any player from the other side and India skipper Virat Kohli opted to go with his Proteas counterpart Faf du Plessis.
Kohli wanted to pick his fellow RCB batsman AB de Villiers but since the South African batting legend had retired from international cricket last year, the Indian captain decided to select du Plessis.
“It is very difficult to choose someone. We feel we are such a strong side. But if I have to choose one from the current lot...since AB (de Villiers) is retired now, I would choose Faf (du Plessis),” Kohli said.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza picked the No. 1 ODI batsman in his side. Pointing towards Virat, Mortaza said: “I would choose that guy.”
Du Plessis preferred to have bowlers in his team. But when asked if he would not like to have Kohli, the South African skipper replied: “Virat is my batting team”.
“I will pick a few players, mainly bowlers. For bowling attack...Jasprit Bumrah, he is bowling really well at the moment. As Virat said, he is multi-format bowler. Then there is exciting spinner Rashid Khan, Pat Cummins from Australia. Team that will go till the end of the tournament will be the ones that do well with the ball. Bowlers who have capabilities of taking wickets,” he explained.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson endorsed his South African counterpart’s viewpoint, saying bowlers will play an instrumental role in the quadrennial event.
“Bowlers will play a big part and I would love to have Rashid Khan in my team,” Williamson asserted.
England’s Eoin Morgan made an interesting choice.
“I won’t change anything about my team. Ponting is part of Australia’s coaching side, so I would take Ricky Ponting,” he said.
While Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed picked Jos Butler, Australia’s Aaron Finch went for Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada.
“Rabada is one guy who has amazing energy. He is a superstar,” said Finch.
Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne had no hesitation in naming England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes in his side.
“He (Stokes) is a game changer. We know what he can do,” Karunaratne said.
The 12th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup will kick-start on May 30, with hosts England taking on South Africa at The Oval.
(With PTI inputs)
