Johannesburg, Oct 2  For the second consecutive year, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named captain of the World ODI Team of the year.

Dhoni's compatriots Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh have also been selected in the team that was announced here Thursday during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre.

A specially appointed selection panel chaired by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd chose the team. Former India captain Anil Kumble, former Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and ex-England wicketkeeper Bob Taylor were also on the panel.

Six countries are represented in the 12-men line-up led by Dhoni, who also appeared in the World ODI Team of the Year in 2008.

Commenting on the team Lloyd said: "It was a very difficult task in selecting this year's ODI team but looking at the line-up I feel it has great balance and depth. It would be a formidable team."

Four Sri Lankans, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis and Thilan Tushara, are also a part of the 12-member team.

The Squad: Virender Sehwag (India), Chris Gayle (West Indies), Kevin Pietersen (England), Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka), Yuvraj Singh (India), Martin Guptill (New Zealand), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India, captain), Andrew Flintoff (England), Nuwan Kulasekara (Sri Lanka), Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka), Umar Gul (Pakistan), Thilan Thushara (Sri Lanka, 12th man) (IANS)