ICC World Cup 2019: 3 names who can make their World Cup debut for India

Can VK make a shocking decision an pick a young Rishabh Pant?
Can Kohli make a bold decision and pick a young Rishabh Pant?

With ICC World Cup 2019 just a year away, the Indian Team is gearing up to wreak havoc on the big stage and win the trophy for the third time. Virat Kohli, already one of the legends of the game, will be looking to lead his side for the first time at such a big stage. Another feather in his hat in the form of a World Cup trophy will unquestionably rank him amongst the best of all time.

With the current team in great form, the selectors wouldn't want to shuffle around the players, but a plethora of players have impressed one and all with their performances in the domestic leagues and IPL. Here are three such players who can make their dream World Cup debut next year if the officials decide to give them a chance.


#3 Siddharth Kaul

Siddharth Kaul
Siddharth Kaul had an impressive season with the Sunrisers in the recent IPL edition

Part of the Indian team that won the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, Siddharth Kaul had to wait quite a long time to make his debut in the senior team. In November 2017, he was named in India's ODI squad for their series against Sri Lanka, but he did not play. After a phenomenal IPL season in 2018 where he picked up 21 wickets from 17 matches, Kaul made his T20I debut for India against Ireland on 29 June 2018.

Kaul told PTI during an interaction, "It was drinks break at that time and one of the umpires came up to me and said that match referee sir (Chaturvedi) had informed that I have been selected in the Indian ODI squad. I didn't know how to react at that moment. It was the biggest piece of news in my cricketing career and I got it on the field."

A right-arm medium pacer, Siddharth Kaul's inclusion may not come as very shocking considering his current performances in domestic season as well as the IPL. His performance against England in ODIs will be a key factor for his name being considered for World Cup next year with the venue for both the tournaments being the same.

#2 Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma is known for his economical bowling and ability to swing the ball

In the rapidly changing times in T20s where bowlers are continuously looking for more and more variations, one player who has stuck to the conventional form of swing bowling is Sandeep Sharma. Post excellent performances with Kings XI Punjab in IPL and domestic season for his home state (Punjab), he made his Twenty20 International debut against Zimbabwe in 2015.

However, having lost the India berth soon, Sharma continues to shine in the IPL, and it's just a matter of time when he becomes a regular member of the playing XI again.

With immaculate accuracy, a capability of swinging the bowl both ways, and providing economical spells, Sandeep Sharma might become the surprise package if the selectors decide to consider him with the pitches in England favoring his swing.

#1 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant - the new Mr.360?

After making headlines as a star batsman in the 2016 edition of the Under-19 World Cup, Delhi boy Rishabh Pant was on the radar already for bigger things when he was picked up by Delhi Daredevils in IPL. Furthering his reputation during the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season, Pant received his maiden T20 call against England.

After captaining the Delhi team to finals in 2017-18 Ranji Trophy and performing exceptionally in IPL earlier this year, Pant seems to have found his mojo back and will be looking for an entry in the playing XI of the national side.

Ganguly told reporters about his opinion on Pant:

I think he has a future but having said that consistency is important. Yes T20 is different, opportunities are lot lesser. But I think for someone like Pant and Ishan, their time will come. They are young and there is no hurry. They will mature as they play more games and they will play for India in the years to come

The selectors have been struggling to find a suitable player for the fourth position, and Rishabh Pant might become the surprise entrant leaving all his senior peers behind.

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