In Absentia

Yuvraj Singh (India)
There are big players, and then there are big-match players. Yuvraj falls in the latter. His form and fitness perhaps did not give enough confidence to the selectors to pick him for another World Cup, but there's no denying that the Punjab da munda will be missed purely as an entertainer. Be it creaming those sixes out of the park, picking up a key wicket with his "pie chuckers" or taking an acrobatic catch at point, something always seems to happen when Yuvraj is on the field. No one needs to be reminded about his exploits in the previous edition, where he not only accumulated 362 runs but also got 15 opposition batsmen out to be named Man of the Tournament. Will he be missed by India this time? Only time will tell.
In 2011 WC
M: 9, Runs: 362, HS: 113, Wkts: 15, Best: 5/31

Kevin Pietersen
He would've walked into any other team around the world, but England chose to go without him because of his alleged attitude problems. Ever since the England and Wales Cricket Board ended his international career last February in the fallout of the Ashes whitewash, the swashbuckling batsman has released a tell-all autobiography, tried his trade as a commentator and also played some outrageous shots in Australia's Big Bash League in between all that. Pietersen was hopeful the new England skipper, Eoin Morgan, would make a case for his comeback into the World Cup squad, but that door was shut too. He's probably still England's best one-day batsman, but one the team management would rather not have. Maybe we'll see him behind the microphone again, commenting on his compatriots. Wouldn't that be fun?
In 2011 WC
M: 4, Runs: 131, HS: 59, Wkts: 0, Best: -

Kieron Pollard
Some called it "victimization", some saw it coming, while the selectors insisted that they wanted to introduce some new faces. Whatever it might be, Pollard's exclusion from the West Indies squad left most scratching their heads. Mumbaikars know very well what this big, burly 27-year-old from Trinidad is capable of doing with the bat, making the Wankhede look ridiculously small with his sixes for the Mumbai Indians. He's equally effective with his medium-pacers too. More than all that, though, it is his ability to pull off some outlandish catches in the outfield that might be missed the most by his fans. Not to forget his habit of taking on the opposition with some not-so-friendly words. Ask Mitchell Starc.
In 2011 WC
M: 7, Runs: 180, HS: 94, Wkts: 2, Best: 1/37

Virender Sehwag
Well, he wasn't quite in contention to be picked in the squad, but few players carry the kind of fan-following Sehwag has over the past several years. His shot-making skills, fearless attitude and impeccable hand-eye coordination during his prime captured the imagination of one and all. He might have lost those abilities in various degrees as age caught up, but there is no denying the fact that a Sehwag in full flow is still as good as it gets in world cricket. He started India's 2011 campaign with a bang, slamming 175 against a hapless Bangladesh attack in his usual style to set the pace for MS Dhoni & Co to become eventual champions. Nonetheless, he is certain that India will reach the semifinals this time around. That's the Nawab of Najafgarh for you.
In 2011 World Cup
M: 8, Runs: 380, HS: 175, Wkts: 0, Best: -

Dwayne Bravo
The man that led the rebellion against the West Indies board. And he paid a price for it. Like Pollard, skipper Bravo too was ignored for the World Cup squad. He's another one of those typical mercurial West Indians who loves his cricket. He always plays the sport with a smile. Why, he even breaks into a jig every now and then on the field. A steady batsman, more-than-useful bowler and a spectacular fielder anywhere on the ground, the West Indies are bound to miss Bravo's all-round expertise. His teammate Chris Gayle put it aptly: "I don't know what's the history behind it, but it is a ridiculous selection from my point of view... with two of our biggest players (Bravo and Pollard) in ODI cricket not involved in the 50-over format and the World Cup". Enough said.
In 2011 World Cup
M: 1, Runs: 40, HS: 40, Wkts: 0, Best: -

...AND THEY WITHDREW
Two of the best spinners in world cricket will be missing in action come February 14, thanks to ICC banning them for bowling with illegal actions. Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal and West Indies' Sunil Narine are off-spinners who can pick up wickets in bulk. But both withdrew from their respective squads after failing to sufficiently remodel their actions.