What Is 2007 Cricket World Cup squads

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Cricket World Cup squads featured 16 national teams, each naming a 15-player roster by March 10, 2007, with Australia emerging as champions after defeating Sri Lanka in the final on April 28, 2007.

Key Facts

Australia won the 2007 Cricket World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka in the final on April 28, 2007.
The tournament was hosted in the West Indies from March 13 to April 28, 2007.
Each of the 16 participating nations named a 15-player squad for the competition.
India's squad included captain Rahul Dravid and star batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
Bangladesh shocked Pakistan with a group-stage win, contributing to Pakistan's early exit.

Overview

The 2007 Cricket World Cup, officially known as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, was the ninth edition of the tournament and featured 16 national teams competing for the title. Held in the West Indies from March 13 to April 28, 2007, it marked the first time the Caribbean hosted the event, bringing international attention to cricket in the region.

Each participating nation submitted a squad of 15 players by March 10, 2007, as mandated by the International Cricket Council (ICC). These squads included a mix of experienced international players and emerging talents, with team compositions reflecting strategic choices ahead of the tournament’s round-robin and knockout stages.

Australia entered as defending champions and named a strong squad led by Ricky Ponting, aiming to secure their third consecutive World Cup title.
India included legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, but underperformed and were eliminated in the group stage.
England fielded a transitional team under Michael Vaughan, struggling to find consistency throughout the tournament.
Sri Lanka, led by Mahela Jayawardene, reached the final but lost to Australia after a rain-affected match at Kensington Oval.
South Africa featured stars like Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs, but once again failed to advance past the knockout stage due to a tie with New Zealand.

How It Works

The selection and management of national squads for the 2007 Cricket World Cup followed strict ICC guidelines, including deadlines, player eligibility, and format-specific strategies. Each team had to finalize a 15-player roster, with provisions for one substitute in case of injury.

Squad Size: Each team was required to name exactly 15 players in their official squad, with no exceptions permitted after the March 10 deadline.
Captain Selection: Team captains were chosen by national boards; for example, Ricky Ponting led Australia, while Rahul Dravid captained India.
Injury Replacements: Teams could replace injured players before the tournament, such as when New Zealand substituted Daryl Tuffey for Shane Bond.
Player Eligibility: All players had to be registered with the ICC and meet nationality or residency requirements to represent their country.
Format Strategy: Squads were tailored for One Day International (ODI) conditions, emphasizing all-rounders and power hitters suited to Caribbean pitches.
Reserve Players: While only 15 were official, teams brought additional reserves for training and potential replacements during the event.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key squads based on captain, top scorer, and tournament outcome:

Team	Captain	Top Scorer	Top Wicket-Taker	Final Standing
Australia	Ricky Ponting	Matthew Hayden (268 runs)	Glenn McGrath (21 wickets)	Champions
Sri Lanka	Mahela Jayawardene	Kumar Sangakkara (341 runs)	Chaminda Vaas (14 wickets)	Runners-up
India	Rahul Dravid	Sachin Tendulkar (346 runs)	Zaheer Khan (9 wickets)	Group Stage
Pakistan	Inzamam-ul-Haq	Mohammad Yousuf (389 runs)	Shoaib Akhtar (17 wickets)	Super 8
South Africa	Shaun Pollock	AB de Villiers (217 runs)	Makhaya Ntini (18 wickets)	Super 8 (Tie)

This table highlights how top performers contributed to team success. Australia’s dominance was fueled by Glenn McGrath’s 21 wickets, the most in the tournament, while Pakistan’s early exit despite strong individual performances underscored team imbalance. India’s reliance on Tendulkar was evident, as no other batsman crossed 300 runs. The data reflects how squad depth and all-round performance were critical to advancing beyond the group phase.

Why It Matters

The 2007 Cricket World Cup squads are significant for shaping future team selections and exposing weaknesses in several major cricketing nations. The tournament prompted reforms in team management, particularly in India and Pakistan, following early exits.

Australia’s victory solidified their dominance in world cricket, marking their third straight World Cup win under Ricky Ponting.
India’s poor performance led to the eventual resignation of coach Greg Chappell and a restructuring of selection policies.
Bangladesh’s win over Pakistan signaled the rise of associate nations, proving they could compete with top-tier teams.
Sri Lanka’s final appearance was their first since 1996, boosting cricket development across the island nation.
Injury management became a focus, as teams like West Indies struggled with key absences during crucial matches.
Global exposure from hosting in the Caribbean helped popularize cricket in non-traditional markets and inspired youth participation.

The 2007 squads remain a reference point for analyzing team composition, leadership, and tournament preparedness in international cricket.