5 Indian batsmen likely to play in World Cup 2019

The 2019 Cricket World Cup is set to be hosted by England and Wales in from the 30th May 2019 to 15 July 2019. Even though there is a significant amount of time to the global event, a few Indian players have almost certainly cemented their spots in the playing eleven.

Only an unfortunate injury or dramatic slump in form can prevent these players from representing their country in the World Cup.

Here's a look:

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been a regular feature in India's first eleven since the 2015 World Cup in Australia. He was the tournament's second-highest run scorer and his expertly crafted 137 against Bangladesh in the quarterfinals cemented his place as an opener.

The year 2017 was especially successful for the right-hander, where he amassed 1293 runs in 21 games, at a standout average of 71.83 and a strike rate close to run a ball. The elegant opener has demonstrated a skill to craft big hundreds in a manner that is risk-free.

With 5 fifties and 6 hundreds in 2017, the Mumbai-born batsman has demonstrated sheer consistency. It is this consistency and ability to emulate match-winning performances, that will reserve him a seat on the flight to London.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Behind the twirled mustache is a man with the typical left-hander's strokeplay. While Rohit Sharma is a slow starter against the new ball, Shikhar Dhawan negates his effect by demonstrating aggression from the first ball.

With 960 runs in 22 games in 2017, the Delhi batsman went through yet another year of consistent run-making. The right-left combination he creates with Sharma puts him a notch above KL Rahul, who has been out of form.

Lastly, his runs usually flow at a tremendous pace and run the opposition out of the game. This ability to consistently work on the opposition and give valuable time to other batsmen to settle is what makes the man a certainty in the squad for the World Cup.

#3 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is a passionate man, and it seems that only injury can stop him from playing in the 2019 World Cup. The world has witnessed him break records consistently over the last 2 years, and it now seems that the records are chasing him.

Kohli accumulated an admirable 1460 runs at an average of 76.84 in the year 2017.

Apart from the phenomenal numbers, India has flourished as a team ever his he has taken over the reigns of captaincy from MS Dhoni. India is currently ranked number 2 in the ODI rankings, just one point behind South Africa. With such a huge drive to succeed, the Delhi native's energy alone should be enough to book him a spot for the World Cup.

#4 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni's spot in the 2019 World Cup squad has been a topic of considerable debate in the media. However, it seems that the veteran has the full support of coach Ravi Shastri. In an interview, the current coach of the Indian team said, "With the kind of form and fitness he is showing currently, how can one even think of not picking Dhoni for the 2019 World Cup?"

He further added, “For me, the two most important things in ODIs are current form and fitness. Dhoni is supremely fit while in ODIs, he is the best wicketkeeper in the country. During the Sri Lanka series, what you saw with his batting was just a trailer. The full movie will be out soon,” Shastri said.

2017 has been yet another year for the wicketkeeper-batsman, who collected 788 runs at an average of 60.61. With the backing of the coach, in supreme fitness and good form, the former captain seems like an irreplaceable player, especially when considering his experience of 300+ ODIs.

#5 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane has been admittedly unlucky to not find a place in the playing eleven, despite some consistent form. The Indian team management has clarified that the Mumbai batsman is only being looked upon as a backup opener, in case Sharma or Dhawan are injured.

Nevertheless, Rahane displayed his value in the Australia vs India series, where he scored 4 successive half-centuries and still got dropped in the opening game of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. In 2017, the right-hander has scored 586 runs at a healthy average of 48.83

With his excellent technique against fast bowlers on seaming pitches, the likelihood of the same in England, Rahane seems to be a definite selection in the 2019 World Cup squad.