10 players for whom IPL 2019 could be decisive for a spot in the World Cup squad

The ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup has become the talk of the town as there are just two months left for the mega-event. The whole crowd is on the edge of their seats to witness the most exciting event in the game of cricket. However, there are still many issues in the Indian side pertaining to the team’s ideal playing 11.

Indian Premier League 2019 could be the best criteria the Indian selectors can use for the World Cup squad. The 12th edition of IPL is all set to begin from March 23, 2019, and it would prove to be a major decider for the top Indian players. All the Indian players would hope to perform their best in IPL so that the World Cup spot can follow them.

Most of the team selection has already been done pertaining to the player’s recent form in New Zealand and Australia tours. However, still there are few queries running through the minds of Indian captain, Virat Kohli and the selection community. The major one among these is the No. 4 batsmen. India has tried around 8-10 batsmen at the said position with little or no success. There are bowling and all-rounders issues too which are to be sorted out before the marquee event.

There are 10 Indian players who still have a last chance to play the 2019 World Cup by performing well in IPL 2019. Let us have a look at them.

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#1. Yuvraj Singh

India can never forget the heroics of Yuvraj Singh from the World Cup 2011.

India’s 2011 World Cup win was the most joyous moment for the whole country. All the hard work done by the players and prayers of the fans did not go in vain as India lifted their second World Cup in 2011. However, the major amount of its credit must go to Yuvraj Singh.

Yuvraj proved to be the fighter for India in that period as he won the cup for his nation in spite of having a threat to his life. However, he had a sudden downfall to his career after 2011 pertaining to his health issues. He made his comeback to cricket in the year 2013 after beating cancer but has not been in great touch since then.

Indian Premier League 2019 could be the main platform for him if he wishes to play the World Cup for India in 2019. He has to give his best while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019 so that he can earn his World Cup spot.

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#2 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina played a crucial role for India with his all-around skills in 2011.

India has been constantly suffering to find an all-rounder who can bat in the middle along with bowling 4-5 overs. The team has tried various players for this role but has found nothing good. Suresh Raina could be the best solution for this referring to the present situation. Raina has got the skills along with the experience which could prove handy for India in the 2019 World Cup.

Raina is currently the top batsman in IPL history. He is the leading run scorer of this tournament with the total of 4985 runs from 11 seasons. With just 15 runs away from the milestone of 5000 IPL runs, he could achieve it in the first game itself featuring CSK and RCB on 23 March 2019.

By performing his best in IPL, he could earn the World Cup call as India still needs him pertaining to his all-around skills.

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#3 KL Rahul

KL Rahul could prove to be handy with the bat for India in World Cup 2019.

Some players are just unlucky pertaining to the competition going on in the world. KL Rahul is the best example of one such player who has got talent but is just unlucky. With Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan opening the innings for India, there is no other place left for Rahul as he is primarily an opening batsman. With both the openers in top form, it has been difficult to fit KL Rahul in the side.

However, still KL Rahul has got his last chance to feature in 2019 World Cup depending on his IPL 2019 form. He will be playing his 2nd season for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019. Rahul is a technically sound batsman who could prove to be handy at the opening position.

With the cut-throat competition, Rahul has still got the chance to feature in India’s 15 member squad for the World Cup based on his Indian Premier League form.

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#4 Ravichandran Ashwin

R Ashwin was the main spinner for India in the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Ravichandran Ashwin played the role of cornerstone for India in the World Cup of 2015 with his off spin bowling. With his ability to turn the ball in both the directions, he stunned the top batsmen of the world in that event. He also played the lead role for India from the bowling department in Champions Trophy 2013.

However, after 2017, his bowling form fell down to a great extent as he tried to bring various new variations in his bowling. During that period, 2 new bowlers namely Chahal and Kuldeep took charge of the spin bowling department of India which led to a break in Ashwin’s career.

With IPL 2019 starting from 23 March 2019, Ashwin has still got one last chance to prove himself in the white ball cricket. He could feature in India’s 2019 World Cup squad if he grabs the eyes of the selectors in IPL 2019.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.

#5 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane can bat at no 4 for India in World Cup.

Ajinkya Rahane is a batsman who believes in building the innings rather than playing aggressively. He is the guy who could bat for India at no 4 in the upcoming mega event of cricket. His batting style is the most desired one while batting at the no 4 position.

He has not been in great touch since the last few years. He has not played white ball cricket since the past few months for his nation. But, he could still make it to India’s World Cup squad pertaining to his form in IPL 2019. He should try his best to outperform the other players so that he can cement his place in the white ball format for India.

Ajinkya will be playing the 12th edition of IPL for the pink franchise, Rajasthan Royals and will be captaining that side. This could be the last opportunity for him if he wishes to play the 2019 ICC World Cup for his nation.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.

#6 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja could be the 2nd all-rounder for India

Just like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja also was excluded after 2017 Champions trophy in spite of his decent performance in that tournament. Jadeja could not continue his form after 2017 which kept him away from the white ball cricket for a few months. However, he made his comeback in the year 2018 pertaining to his top form in domestic tournaments.

Ravindra Jadeja received a golden opportunity to impress during the recent ODI series against New Zealand and Australia as he got a chance to play in absence of Hardik Pandya. Jadeja, however, failed to impress the squad with his performance.

However, he has still got one last chance to play for India in World Cup 2019 if he brings his form back in Indian Premier League 2019. Jadeja will be playing for CSK under MS Dhoni’s captaincy in IPL 2019 which might prove to be beneficial for him.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.

#7 Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar has been in great form of late

Vijay Shankar took the whole world with a shock by bowling a miraculous last over for India in the most crucial match. He didn’t let the hopes of the whole nation go in vain as he pulled off a thriller win against Australia. This incident might have boosted his chances on a very large scale with the World Cup being just 2 months away.

He could feature in the 15 member squad of India for the World Cup but still, there that is not a conclusion as there are a lot of players vying for the spot. He has a chance to prove himself superior in IPL 2019.

Vijay Shankar will play the 12th edition of IPL for Delhi Capitals. He would hope to prove his best in IPL so that the World Cup spot will be secured for him.

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#8 Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed is the top left-handed fast bowler for India at present.

A left-handed fast bowling option could prove to be handy for any team in the World Cup pertaining to England’s swing friendly pitches. At present, India has not finalized left-handed fast bowler who could feature in the playing XI along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Khaleel Ahmed is the only available option for India at the moment.

Khaleel Ahmed has not been in good touch with his fast bowling skills. His performance is the most crucial talking point for India before going into the World Cup. Khaleel has to work on certain points if he wishes to play in the most reputed event in the history of cricket.

IPL 2019 could be the best platform for Khaleel to showcase his talent before the mega-event. If he manages to perform his best in this edition of IPL, then he could feature in the Indian squad for World Cup 2019.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.

#9 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami could be the 3rd fast bowling option for India.

With 2 supreme fast bowlers already in the playing XI, it will be a difficult task for any pacer to fit in as the 3rd fast bowler in the squad. Mohammed Shami has been going through the same situation so far in recent times. With Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the side, Shami has been constantly facing the troubles to get into the squad.

Mohammed Shami had been in good touch during the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. Shami got a chance to play in absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in which he managed to prove his best. Still, it is difficult for the Indian management to fit Shami in the squad owing to those 2 fast bowlers.

Still, Shami has got one last chance to showcase his talent in the white ball cricket with IPL starting from 23 March. If Shami manages to impress the selectors in IPL, then he could feature in India’s squad for World Cup 2019.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.

#10 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav will be playing for RCB side in IPL 2019.

Umesh Yadav hasn’t been in good form when it comes to the white ball cricket. Umesh has been the first choice for India in red ball cricket. But when it comes to the white ball, he hasn’t impressed so far. His line and lengths are a matter of worry for him when he tries to bowl faster.

Recently in the series against Australia, Umesh Yadav was given the opportunity to bowl the last over with ample amount of runs to be defended. However, India lost the match pertaining to his poor line and length in the last over. This has been the most crucial issue for him which has to be solved if he wishes to play for India in the 2019 ICC World Cup.

With IPL 2019 starting from 23 March, Umesh must try his best to impress as it is the last chance for him before the mega cricketing event of 2019.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.