It seems like only yesterday when MS Dhoni crunched that match-winning six in Mumbai to spark riotous celebrations and Sachin Tendulkar's fabulous boyish smile. So much has changed in four short years, not least India's entire attack.
Some of the best ever World Cup performers were on show in 2011 before retirement. Unsurprisingly, Tendulkar's longevity made him by far the top scorer in the competition's history, followed by Ricky Ponting, who at least had a few earlier cup successes under his belt prior to Australia's failure to make the semis last time. Muttiah Muralitharan bowed out as a beaten finalist, too.
So who else makes my all-time World Cup XI? For me, it's Herschelle Gibbs and Sanath Jayasuriya. Sehwag and Hayden have a decent claim, but the Sri Lankan practically invented the pinch-hitting opener role, combined with a haul of 27 valuable wickets. The South African scored 1,069 runs at more than 56 and a strike rate of 87, his exploits unrewarded in terms of silverware.
SRT and Ponting are there, of course, and there has to be room for the mighty Viv Richards. From his electric fielding in the inaugural Final to some mighty hitting in the next two competitions, he showed what was possible in ODIs, be they 60, 55 or 50 overs an innings. Imagine what he'd do in the modern era of big bats, small boundaries and Powerplays.
Adam Gilchrist was a phenomenon as wicketkeeper-batsman in any form of cricket but in World Cups he topped 1,000 runs and took more scalps behind the stumps than anyone else. No shortage of fantastic all-rounders to choose from, but I'd pick winning captains Imran Khan (Pakistan, 1992) and Kapil Dev (India, 1983). Murali is the obvious spin choice supported by leading wicket-taker Glenn McGrath (71 wickets at under four runs an over) and fellow Aussie Brett Lee. His economy rate was inferior but strike rate and average were better than all of the big names.
No current names grace that list but I wouldn't bet against AB De Villiers from usurping Gilly's place, and could the likes of Dale Steyn, Kumar Sangakkara and Dilshan press their claims for promotion from superstars to World Cup legends in what will surely be their swansongs? I reckon some of the younger players could really shine in the forthcoming weeks, and not necessarily the big hitters like Corey Anderson, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum or David Miller. The ICC rankings suggest the stars will include Amla, Kohli, AB, Shakib, Saeed Ajmal (if permitted) and Mitch Johnson. However, don't be surprised to see Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Kyle Abbott making a few headlines.
I'm a huge supporter of an inclusive World Cup with the leading Associate nations having their day in the sun, striving to snatch unlikely successes against the odds and maybe inspiring youngsters in Ireland, Afghanistan, even the West Indies to take up the sport and be the World Cup legends of the future. Nevertheless I don't see anyone outside the top eight seeds from progressing to the quarter-finals. Bangladesh could do what they failed to do on home territory four years ago but at whose expense? Pool A looks too strong. However, could Zimbabwe or Ireland upset the Windies or Pakistan in Pool B? Not impossible.
In 2011, New Zealand and Sri Lanka reached the semis but my bold prediction for the last four is: Australia v India and New Zealand v England. Yes, England! Written off as no-hopers in the absence of Pietersen or any form for Eoin Morgan, I wouldn't rule them out in a one-off contest against, say, Pakistan or South Africa should Anderson and Broad shock the top order.
That leaves us with a battle of the two hosts, just as we did in the last World Cup. The Black Caps are buzzing right now and they look to have a good balance of bat and ball, seam and spin, but their fast bowlers are probably more swing than pace and bounce, which is likely to favour Starc and Johnson. Whether it's Smith or Clarke who leads them up to the podium, I'd say the eventual winners will be wearing green and gold.
I'd love South Africa or New Zealand to triumph for the first time and it will be fascinating to see how they fare against the hosts who must be favourites.
