Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Captains look to individuals to deliver

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 19:08 IST
Ravi Shastri

While cricket is a team sport, for a team to win a match when under the cosh, a captain will look to individual players for some quick runs or for a crucial wicket that breaks a troubling partnership.

There is no bigger stage in cricket than the World Cup and in his official video log on castrolcricket.com, former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri has picked five men whom he thinks will be the ultimate go-to cricketers in the tournament.

Click on NEXT to find out Shastri's top five players at the World Cup

'Lee's hunger is back'

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 19:08 IST
Brett Lee

Brett Lee may not have the pace he was once famous for, but tops the list as the Numero Uno Go-to-Cricketer. Succinctly put, Shastri believes the Australian's "hunger is back."

Lee, who is the most-experienced bowler in the side, no longer plays Test cricket or too much T20, making the former Indian skipper believe that he looks fresh and ready for the tournament ahead.

'Kallis can give SA their maiden WC title'

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 19:08 IST
Jacques Kallis

Shastri does not mince his words when he says that South Africa deserve the label of "chokers".

However, he believes if there's one man that can give them their maiden title, it would be Jacques Kallis, who is playing the best cricket of his career.

'Harbhajan will be a key man in India's squad'

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 19:08 IST
Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh finds himself at Number 3 with Ravi Shastri believing that the off-spinner will be a key man that India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will go to when the chips are down.

He believes that Harbhajan's temperament, experience and his ability to get under the skin of the opposition make him a key man in India's squad.

'Watson is a sure go-to-cricketer for Ponting'

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 19:08 IST
Shane Watson

"Do not write off Australia, ever!" warns Shastri as he suggests that Shane Watson will play a key role in Australia potentially lifting their fourth consecutive World Cup.

Praising Watson's switch to opening the batting and his ability to reverse swing, Shastri concludes that Watson is a sure go-to-cricketer for Ricky Ponting.

'Shakib might cause India some headaches'

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 19:08 IST
Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan rounds off Shastri's Top 5 with a warning that he well might be the one that causes India headaches in its opening World Cup encounter.

Classifying the Bangladeshi captain in one his top five all-rounder's in World Cricket, India's former skipper applauds Shakib's abilities with bat and ball and his instinct to lead from the front.