5 Indian cricketers you didn't know were part of World Cup squads

The World Cup is the biggest spectacle in world cricket and is known for its high-intensity game. There have been a lot of changes since the first World Cup was played in 1975 and the brand has grown with every edition.

The Indian team were crowned champions of the world in 1983 even though no one gave them much of a chance. Riding on Kapil Dev's heroics the team won the title.

28 years later it was MS Dhoni who was also one of the biggest reasons behind India getting the crown back. His unique captaincy style and batting prowess ensured that India won the World Cup at home becoming the first country to achieve such a feat.

Playing in the World Cup is a huge achievement something that not many players can boast of. There are some players who end up being in the squad but did not get to play any matches in the World Cup.

Here are five players you did not know were part of India's World Cup squads once:

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#5 Sanjay Bangar (2003)

The current Indian batting coach was not a destructive batsman but was more of a utility player who could be used an all-rounder. He played only 15 ODIs for India between 2002 and 2004 but many might not remember he was part of the Indian squad for the 2003 World Cup.

He did not get to play a single game as Sourav Ganguly drafted in the extra batsman in the form of Mohammad Kaif/Dinesh Mongia by asking Rahul Dravid to wicket-keep.

Bangar also played Test cricket for India and opened alongside Virender Sehwag in a few games. His medium pace was suited more to the longer format but he got to play only 12 games between 2001 and 2002 before being sidelined.

Right now he is with the Indian team as the batting coach and is preparing the team for the 2019 World Cup.

#4 Amay Khurasiya (1999)

Amay Khurasiya

The little-known batsman from Madhya Pradesh played over 100 first-class games and was an established entity at the domestic level. However, he could not get going at the international level and played only 12 ODIs for India.

All the ODIs were played in 1999 itself, barring two who were played on his comeback in 2001. After two more failures where he scored 12 and a duck, he was dropped from the team forever.

He was part of the squad for the 1999 World Cup but did not get to play a single game in the event.

His debut was made in style when he made 57 against Sri Lanka in Pune but that was the only fifty he could manage in 11 innings.

#3 Subroto Banerjee (1992)

Subroto Banerjee

Banerjee was one of the pacers who was introduced via the MRF Pace Academy and was selected for the team to Australia. He played there and impressed with his pace and bounce on wickets that were made for his kind of bowling.

He couldn't create much impact in the World Cup as he played just a couple of games and could not realise his potential. He was dropped from the Indian team after that.

In all, he played six games and picked up five wickets and also played one Test in Australia where he picked up three wickets.

He is currently the bowling coach of Vidarbha and helped them win their maiden Ranji Trophy title last season.

#2 Salil Ankola (1996)

Salil Ankola with Sachin Tendulkar

One of the brightest talents to have been found in the late 1980s, Ankola made his debut with the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and was known for his raw pace and bounce.

Yet he could not create much impression. He went in and out of the Indian team as the team tried to find a genuine pacer who could be just like Javagal Srinath who had created waves.

He returned after four years in 1993 and went in and out of the squad. He was included again for the World Cup in 1996 but did not play a single game. His last ODI for India came in 1997 when he featured against South Africa on their home soil.

He also played one Test for India and now has turned into a television actor.

#1 Stuart Binny (2015)

Stuart Binny

The Indian all-rounder has had an up and down career even though he has achieved a lot of success with the Karnataka domestic team. His bowling spell of 6-4 against Bangladesh is still a historic feat which he achieved in an ODI in 2014.

India were still looking for a genuine all-rounder and hoped that Binny's still could suit the side in Australia. He was picked by the selectors for the 2015 World Cup. He played in the ODI series that was played before the World Cup but did not play a game in the big tournament.

He returned for the series against South Africa but hasn't played a single game for India ever since being hit for five sixes in 2016 against West Indies.