5 Indian Players who Might Miss out on 2019 World Cup Team

Every person dreaming to be a cricketer has one ultimate dream i.e. to represent their country in a World Cup. There have been many great cricketers in the history of cricket who couldn't realize this dream. No matter how heartbreaking it is, the hard reality is only 15 can represent out of millions vying for those spots.

Here is the list of 5 players who might miss out on this edition of Cricket World Cup 2019, which will take place in England, after being so close to being selected.

#5 R Ashwin

England v India - Royal London One-Day Series 2014

Ravichandran Ashwin started his international career being termed as a limited overs specialist. However, his performances since 2015 in limited overs format have not been up to his usually high standards. He has played 11 ODIs from 2016 picking up 10 wickets at an average of 55.79 and an economy rate of 5.93 which in comparison to his overall stats (150 wickets at an average of 32.91 and economy of 4.91) are way high.

Dip in his performances along with rising of India's lethal spin twins in Chahal & Kuldeep has meant that Ashwin's selection for 2019 World Cup is in jeopardy and he will most likely make it to the world cup squad in case of any last-minute injuries to either of Chahal or Kuldeep.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane

Australia v India - Game 3

India's No. 4 position woe is a well-known fact and Ajinkya Rahane was once considered as the solution by one and all. Captain Kohi also went on to say before South Africa's tour that Rahane is well suited for the conditions, but, since then Rahane has found himself out of the limited-overs squad and is facing tough competition from the likes of KL Rahul (most likely candidate to make it through) & Shreyas Iyer.

Even though Rahane has played quite well at No. 4 position, KL Rahul's IPL exploits and flamboyancy in his stroke-play might get him the nod before Rahane.

Rahane has played 7 innings since 2016 at No. 4 spot having scored 279 runs at an average of 46.50 and a strike rate of 88.01.

#3 Mohammed Shami

India v Pakistan - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

Shami has had his share of fitness issues throughout his career which has led to his downfall in the pecking order of fast bowlers in the team. The rise of fast bowlers like Siddharth Kaul, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav in the limited overs format has made it even more difficult for Shami to get his place back in the limited overs format.

He has played only 3 matches since the beginning of 2016, picking up 4 wickets at an average of 35.75 which is way above his career average of 25.37. Even if he stays fit, his selection will depend upon the fitness of Bumrah & Bhuwneshwar who have been leading the Indian pace attack with distinction.

#2 Rishabh Pant

England Lions v India A - Tri-Series International

A player of Adam Gilchrist's mold, a dashing batsman with the ability to score at a fast pace with a safe pair of gloves behind the wicket, Rishabh Pant has taken huge strides in his small career, making it to India's Test Squad on the back of some scintillating performances for India A under the guidance of Rahul Dravid.

He can also be a contender for the No. 4 spot in the limited overs' side if given a chance, as shown by him in IPL. However, no matter how good a player is performing domestically, if players selected in the Indian side are performing well, he won't get a chance.

MS Dhoni will be the first choice keeper-batsman till he retires and Dinesh Karthik has been playing best cricket of his life in past 2 years, which has ultimately blocked Pant's spot in the side for the time being.

#1 Ambati Rayudu

England v India: Carlton Mid ODI Tri Series - Game 6

Once termed as the "Next big thing in Indian Cricket", Ambati Rayudu has failed to cement his spot in the Indian side. The time looked right for his comeback after his best IPL season having won the title with CSK and scoring 602 runs at a strike rate of 149.75 along with an average of 43. The performances were worthy of notice for a fact that he batted at different spots with the same level of success.

However, the fate had decided something else, having been selected in the Indian limited-overs' squad on the back of his IPL performances, he was shown the door as he failed the much talked about YO-YO Test.

The time is running out of his hand to prove his fitness by clearing the Yo-Yo Test and throw his name in the hat for selection again. But if he couldn't prove his fitness before Asia Cup, the test might prove too costly for him.

However, a fit Ambati Rayudu can definitely solve many problems for the Indian team, being the versatile player he is and we wish to see a player of his calibre fully fit (up to selection standards) to give some headache to the selectors.