10 Indian players unfortunate to miss out on the 2015 World Cup probables

On a hot, sultry evening in Mumbai almost 4 years ago, MS Dhoni’s six, which sealed the World Cup (WC) for India, gave the country of a billion unparalleled jubilation and joy. Celebrations continued for weeks on end and the demigods of Indian cricket were idolised like never before. The World Cup had finally been won, 28 years after Kapil Dev was seen carrying the trophy at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in 1983. But that was 4 years ago.Much has changed since then. Indian cricket has seen some inspiring highs, along with some frustrating lows ever since the night of 2nd April. The WC heroes have been mercilessly discarded, in the hope that newer ones can take the field and do India proud, just as they had. With just over two months to go for cricket’s biggest event to be held in Australia and New Zealand, the Indian selectors yesterday picked the 30 probables who will have the onerous responsibility of replicating a Wankhede all over again.India's 30-man preliminary squad: MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Robin Uthappa, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Manish Pandey, Wriddhiman Saha, Sanju Samson, R Ashwin, Parvez Rasool, Karn Sharma, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Mohit Sharma, Ashoke Dinda, Kuldeep Yadav and Murali Vijay.However, as is the case with Indian selection, there will always be endless debates on the players who missed out on a ticket to Australia. Sandeep Patil’s every move will be dissected, and then it will be dissected a little bit more till the World Cup is actually won.Here’s a look at the 10 players could consider themselves unlucky for missing out on World Cup selection:

#1 Virender Sehwag

“I still dream and hope to play in this World Cup.”

Virender Sehwag’s words a few days ago stumped cricket fans, who were well aware that he was fighting a lost battle to get into the national team, considering he had not donned the Indian jersey since 3 January, 2013, when he had scored a 43-ball 31 in a losing cause in Kolkata versus Pakistan.

The swashbuckling opener, who was instrumental in giving the Indian team the start they needed in every game (except the final) in the 2011 WC, amassed a whopping 380 runs in 8 innings, including a massive 175 in the opener against Bangladesh, at an average of 47.5 in the last edition.

His highest ODI score of 219 against West Indies in Indore later that year, where he brilliantly combined aggression with caution, and his inherently ruthless approach to batting often reminded one of Sir Vivian Richards.

However lack of footwork, along with the loss of his hand-eye coordination, which had been integral to his success for long given his lack of technique, soon caught up with him, and an average Indian Premier League season this year, where he scored only 455 runs in 17 games, did him no good.

With only 131 runs in 6 games at an average of 21.83 for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare trophy, along with a cold shoulder given to him for the Australian Test tour, his chances to make the provisional squad looked minimal to say the least.

At 36, he wasn’t getting any younger and given the big grounds Down Under, the youngsters who could dive and catch the ball were always going to get first preference.

#2 Gautam Gambhir

Like his Delhi teammate Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir too has had an average first-class season this year, scoring 200 runs in 6 games while averaging 33.33.

However, unlike the former, Gambhir has at least been on the radar of the Indian selectors, having been picked to tour England for 5 Test matches earlier this year. A below par performance, where he scored a mere 25 runs in 2 matches, ensured he wasn’t in the 19 selected to go to Australia for the 4 Tests.

Gambhir, the hero of the 2011 WC final, whose gallant effort of 97 went a long way in helping the team lift the title, had an average season with Kolkata Knight Riders, despite leading the team to victory. He amassed 335 runs in 16 innings and although his captaincy was praised, his batting woes continued as the event went on. His struggles against the off stump deliveries resulted in a number of LBW decisions going against him, and since then, the 2009 Test Cricketer of the Year has looked a pale shadow of his former self.

The 33-year-old left-hander had voiced his desire to play in the WC next year, but the fact that he, along with Sehwag, opted out of the Deodhar Trophy wouldn’t have done either of them any good.

#3 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh isn’t a match-winner, but rather a tournament winner. So much so that it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that his performance was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, reasons for India’s triumph almost 4 years ago.

Ignoring bouts of cough, which was later diagnosed as cancer, the left-hander dished out an impressive all-round performance, picking up 15 wickets as well as scoring 362 runs, which in turn helped him earn the Man of the Tournament award.

However, he was soon plagued with cancer, and even though he emerged on top of the disease, fitness and lack of form came to haunt him. His last ODI for India was almost a year ago against South Africa, and his lacklustre efforts in the World T20 finals in Bangladesh might have gone against him in the selection for the WC.

Yuvi hasn’t made much of an impact in domestic cricket either - 208 runs in 10 games with only 5 wickets to his credit - and it wouldn’t be unfair to state that all-rounders like Ravinder Jadeja and Akshar Patel seem to be better bets than him for the WC, starting from 14 February.

#4 Harbhajan Singh

Considering his performances in the past one year, it would have taken a Herculean effort on the part of Harbhajan Singh to even be included in the World Cup squad which sees no less than 7 spinners.

Certainties in Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have been picked alongside Amit Mishra, off-break bowler Parvez Rasool, leggie Karn Sharma and the impressive chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.

Bhajji played his last ODI for the nation almost 3 years ago, in 2011 against West Indies, and he seems to have lost his zing a long time back. He looked a shadow of his former self in the IPL this year, where, playing for Mumbai Indians, he managed to pick up just 14 wickets at an average of 25.41.

Eight wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy did not strengthen his case any further, and it would indeed have been a surprise had the Turbanator been picked for Australia.

#5 Zaheer Khan

While fast bowling has never been India’s strength, a plethora of young fast bowlers in recent years has given the cricket fans in the country plenty to rejoice about.

The 30-member squad for the WC boasts of 8 quickies (Binny isn’t included in the list!), with 5 among them, namely Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, being sure shot certainties for the final 15.

Although they might not be able to send shivers down the opposition, the Indian attack looks a complete package, with Yadav’s raw pace complementing Bhuvi’s ability to swing the ball both ways in the air. Shami is the only bowler who looks at ease while bowling yorkers, and Dhawal Kulkarni’s success for India A in Australia earlier this year is good news.

Their performances ensured that Zaheer Khan, who for long had been considered the leader of the bowling attack, found no place in the WC team. Zak last played for India in an ODI in August 2012 and picked up a mere 5 wickets in this year’s Indian Premier League.

Fitness issues and non-participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai further ensured his non-selection in the WC squad.

Footnote- The above mentioned cricketers have long been the flag bearers of Indian cricket, scripting memorable victories and giving the country, which idolises the game, thousands of reasons to cheer about. They might never play for the nation again, but in Harsha Bhogle’s words, “we must stand up & applaud their contribution to Indian cricket”.

#6 KL Rahul

KL Rahul has enough reasons to feel disappointed at missing out on the WC bus.

He made his debut for Karnataka in 2010, but it is only last year that he made headlines, when he scored a whopping 1033 runs in the Ranji Trophy, including 3 centuries.

His technique and application impressed none other than Indian legend Rahul Dravid, and consistent performances for India A, along with scores of 185 and 130 in the Duleep Trophy final, helped him earn a spot in the 19-member Test squad for Australia.

The 22-year-old still has age on his side and instead of feeling disheartened, he should rather look to do well in the upcoming Tests, which is sure to do his confidence a world of good.

#7 Vinay Kumar

One player who can call himself unlucky, considering his record over the previous year in domestic cricket, is Vinay Kumar. Not only did he lead Karnataka to the Ranji Trophy title with his shrewd captaincy, he also picked up 39 wickets in the season. Karnataka completed a historic treble, with the state claiming the Irani Cup as well as the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

However, he could not impress in his stint for KKR, picking up only 7 wickets in 4 games. He has often been accused of failing to replicate his domestic form at the international level, leaking runs aplenty, especially in the death overs.

For India, he has picked up 38 wickets in 31 games at a high average of 37.44 and in a battle of sorts with Kulkarni, it is the latter who has tipped him to a spot in the 30-member squad.

#8 Irfan Pathan

A slot for the seaming all-rounder seemed to have opened up after Stuart Binny failed to impress in his Test debut against England.

Binny could manage only 140 runs without picking up a wicket on the tour, with questions being raised about his technique and skills at the highest level. Although he had an impressive IPL with Rajasthan Royals in 2013, he was off the boil this season, scoring only 123 runs and capturing 13 wickets in 13 games.

His Indian ODI record isn’t much to talk about, either, except a career-best haul of 6/4 against a lacklustre Bangladesh team, and Pathan seemed to have had the edge over Binny as far as the WC was concerned.

Impressive bowling performances in Australia both in 2003/04 and 2007/08, along with his ability to score quick-fire runs lower down the order, made him a contender for the WC squad. But fitness issues along with the lack of international match practice (he last played for the Men in Blue in 2012) have tilted the odds in Binny’s favour.

#9 Dinesh Karthik

The second wicketkeeper’s slot in the Indian cricket team is always a closely contested one, considering that only one out of Wriddhiman Saha, Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik and Naman Ojha can make the cut. With Uthappa already chosen as an opener who can keep wickets, the competition was always going to be between Samson, Saha and Karthik, with Ojha often regarded as a Test specialist.

Saha, India’s best wicketkeeper by far, deserved a place in the team as a reward for his consistent domestic performances, where he has scored 3770 runs in 64 games, taking 164 catches and effecting 15 stumpings. His knock of 115 off just 55 deliveries in the IPL finals against KKR and a tournament total of 362 in 17 games proved he is no mug with the bat as well.

Samson, rated by many as the most talented youngster in the country, has age on his side and is widely seen as a possible replacement for MS Dhoni. Hence Karthik, who has been in and out of the side, fell out of favour with the selectors.

#10 Ishwar Pandey

Madhya Pradesh seam bowler Ishwar Pandey came into the limelight after finishing as the highest wicket-taker in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy, picking 48 wickets from just 8 matches at an outstanding average of 21.06. He impressed for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL too, picking up 6 wickets in 13 games before his form tapered off.

His wicket tally of 34 in the 2013-14 Ranji season, thereby continuing his good form from the previous season, earned him a call-up to the Indian Test team for the tours of New Zealand and England this year. However, he did not get a game in either series, denying him a chance to display his credentials at the international level.

Footnote- The team has been chosen, and there will always be debates as to those who were unlucky and those who should not have earned a call-up. Moreover, questions will be raised and endless debates will ensue as to whether Yuvraj, Sehwag, Gambhir, Bhajji, Zaheer ought to have been in the WC squad or not. Would it have been fair for the youngsters who have earned a place in the team on the back of impressive performances to make way for legends who haven’t played for over two years?

The argument is a futile one, considering how passionate Indians can get for cricket and the superstars of the game.

Now that the names have been announced and the squad has been selected, instead of making a hue and cry over selection issues, it is time to cheer on the Men in Blue who will have the responsibility of doing India proud in Australia come the World Cup.

If Sehwag, Yuvi, Gambhir, Zaheer & Harbhajan don't play for India again, we must stand up & applaud their contribution to Indian cricket

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2014