CWC 2019: Top five trump cards in this edition

With the World Cup almost upon us, this is the time which every player is waiting for. All the big match players know that there is no stage as big as this and if you can make a mark here you get immortalized in history.

Moments like Jonty Rhodes flying in the air to run out Inzamam in 1992 World Cup or Wasim Akram announcing his arrival to the world by a scintillating spell in the 1992 final or Sachin Tendulkar's run making spree in 1996, or of course Lance Klusener tranforming into a man that can do no wrong in 1999 World Cup, it's in these moments that the potential trump cards proved their worth to the team.

For this edition of the World Cup, we look at the ones who are potentially going to be the biggest game changers in this world cup for their respective teams. There will always be the reliable Virat Kohlis, Joe Roots and Kane Williamsons of the world and we know they are going to contribute and contribute very well.

We jotted down the list of the guys who could be the x-factors for their teams, who could do what a Yuvraj Singh did in 2011 or a Klusener did in 1999. So let's jump to the list and find out the players that could have a career-defining World Cup.

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#1 David Warner

David Warner would be eager to prove to the world that he's lost none of that edge in one year

David Warner is back and if his form in the IPL is anything to go by he's back at his best. He seems hungrier than ever and is looking to make up for the lost time. Warner was the highest run scorer in the IPL and in the eyes of many he has brought in a sense of maturity into his game.

Still a beast when it comes to smashing the ball out of the ground and taking the attack to the opposition, he would be looking to make the most of the flat decks and small grounds in England. In what is most probably going to be his last World Cup Warner would be looking to make the most of this opportunity.

#2 Kuldeep Yadav

Batsmen all over the world find it very hard to pick Kuldeep Yadav

Arguably one of the biggest trump cards that the Indian team is going to use in this World Cup, Kuldeep Yadav has been an amazing find for them. It has been heartwarming to watch him grow and progress as he has not only become a player to be relied on to take wickets in the middle overs but also he is the go-to man in pressure situations.

His record in ODIs has been phenomenal over the last couple of years and he's been successful against the best of the best. If India has a chance of winning the World Cup in England then a lot of that is going to come down to how their x-factor performs in the tournament. His successful ODI and T20 returns in England last year indicate how well he can fare in the World Cup.

#3 Rashid Khan

Rashid surely is a legitimate superstar right now

He can bowl, He can bat, He can field well and he plays cricket all around the world. Rashid Khan is a breath of fresh air and a superstar in modern day cricket. A player that has ascended his national team and made his name throughout the world as a limited overs specialist.

His record in ODIs, just like Kuldeep Yadav has been phenomenal, maybe even a shade better because of the quality of opposition he has faced. Rashid has troubled all the top players in the world with his bowling. This is the reason why Afghanistan is probably going to be one of the dark horses of this World Cup as they do have quite a few players who have played all around the world and succeeded.

If Afghanistan has to pull off an upset or two then Rashid Khan is going to play a key role in that for sure.

#4 Jos Butler

One of the biggest impact players of the tournament

If there is anyone who has shown a ridiculous level of improvement in his game since his debut then that has to be Jos Buttler. In the last couple of years, he has been the leading force that has led to a metamorphosis of the English team. England has transformed itself from being perennial underperformers in ODIs to a team that plays with no fear and smashes scores in the region of 400 with consistency.

One of the biggest factors behind that has been the consistency and swashbuckling batting from Buttler. He has smashed it around whenever he's come in and made at least 30-40 runs difference in what the team could have scored and what they eventually ended up with.

Buttler might not be the guy topping the run charts most of the time but in terms of value, he's surely going to provide a lot to the team.

#5 Andre Russell

One of the biggest impact players in the game right now

Andre Russell is a beast of a man who always had talent. But in this year's IPL, Russell showed the kind of consistency that had been lacking from him in all these years. Striking at more than 200 and bringing the team into a situation of winning from being completely down and out is something Russell did with regularity.

The biggest question though will always be whether he would be able to translate that breathtaking hitting into the World Cup. IPL and International cricket are still two completely different levels of cricket, and of course, one is T20 and the other is 50 over format as well.

This is why Russell is a bit of a trump card in this World Cup but if he does come good, get ready to see Windies break a few hearts this tournament.