ICC World Cup 2019: 5 Bowlers who can be the leading wicket takers

In modern-day cricket, which is considered to be a batsmen's game, bowlers have learned to change their roles accordingly to fit into the system. Limited-overs cricket has demanded a lot of changes from the bowlers and the newest generation of bowlers seems to have adapted perfectly, especially the leggies. The past couple of years have shown the importance of wrist spinners in limited overs cricket as their wicket taking abilities in the middle overs is the need of the hour in ODI cricket.

Considering the English conditions, post the 2015 World Cup, the pitches have been flatter than ever and that does not seem to change in the World Cup as well. As evident from the past, teams with the best bowling attacks generally go the distance. And on flat wickets, where batsmen from both sides will strive, it will all boil down to the side having better wicket-taking options.

As the World Cup approaches, we look at 5 bowlers who could prove to be the trump cards for their sides and finish as the leading wicket-takers in the upcoming World Cup:

Kagiso Rabada

One of the most promising fast bowlers among the current lot, Kagiso Rabada has been phenomenal in both formats of the game ever since his arrival in international cricket. Spearheading South African attack over the past couple of years in the absence of Steyn, Rabada has improved leaps and bounds.

Currently ranked fourth in the ODI rankings for bowlers, Rabada holds the key to South Africa's chances in the World Cup.

Rabada picked 23 wickets from 14 games in 2018, at an average of 26.17 and strike-rate of 32.3. With best figures of 4/41, he had two four-fers to his name in the past year with an impressive economy of 4.85. Rabada's knack of getting better of the best in the world makes him a threat against all oppositions.

Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid

England's premier wrist spinner Adil Rashid has been one of the major cogs in the wheel for the successful English side over the past couple of years. The third highest wicket-taker in 2018, Rashid has been the key in the middle overs, alongside Moeen Ali, picking up wickets at regular intervals. The series against India where he troubled the famed Indian batting order and got the better of Virat Kohli twice, showed his vitality for the English against quality oppositions.

With 42 wickets from 24 games, Rashid ended as the third highest wicket-taker in 2018 at an average of 27.47 and a strike rate of 30.4. Rashid had 2 four-fers to his name in 2018 with the best figures of 4/36. The key to England's success in the World Cup remains not only in their destructive batting, but also in Rashid's wicket-taking form. And if he continues the way he has performed over the past year, he could well end up as one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

One of the finest pacers in world cricket at the moment, the top-ranked ODI bowler from India has been improving with each passing day. One of the hottest properties of Indian cricket at present, Bumrah was outstanding in his first year in Test cricket and his workload is being managed carefully by the team management considering his importance in the World Cup. Making headlines with his yorkers in the initial phase of his career, Bumrah has developed himself into someone whom the captain can rely on at any stage of the game.

In 2018, Bumrah picked 22 wickets from 13 games at an incredible average of 16.63 and strike rate of 27.5. His economy of 3.62 is more than impressive in modern day cricket, more so considering he bowls most of his overs at the start and the death overs.

One of the key factors in India's success in limited overs cricket, Bumrah is expected to spearhead the Indian attack with his ability to pick wickets in any condition at any stage of the game.

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

The chinaman bowler from India ranked third in ICC rankings for bowlers in ODIs, Kuldeep Yadav has been one of the most difficult bowlers to read over the past year or so. He has picked wickets for fun, running through oppositions, especially against the non-Asian ones in 2018. His 6/25 in England against the home side showed his potential to excel in the upcoming World Cup. Kuldeep's partnership with Chahal in the middle overs has been the biggest headache for India's oppositions since 2017.

Kuldeep ended second in the list of wicket-takers in 2018, picking 45 wickets from just 19 games at an average of 17.77 and a strike rate of 22.9. With 2 four-fers and a five-wicket haul, he has best figures of 6/25 against England.

Kuldeep is expected to be India's trump card in the World Cup and will have the responsibility of getting wickets in the middle overs. If Kuldeep continues his magic, it will not be a surprise if he ends up as the leading wicket-taker in tournament and India go the distance.

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

The teenage sensation from Afghanistan, a legend in the making, Rashid Khan has been dominating almost all the bowling charts over the past couple of years. The second-ranked ODI bowler at present, Rashid holds the key for Afghanistan in the World Cup alongside Mujeeb. One of the best bowlers in world cricket in limited-overs today, excelling in leagues all over the world, Rashid proved his worth against big teams in the Asia Cup. The deputy skipper of the Afghan team has been instrumental in Afghanistan's qualification for the World Cup.

The leading wicket-taker in 2018, Rashid finished with 48 wickets from 20 games, at an average of 14.45, the best in the list and also strike rate of 22.2. He had two five-wicket hauls and one four-fer and had best figures of 5/24 in 2018. If Rashid spins his wave around oppositions, it is highly likely that Afghanistan script history, pipping the more fancied oppositions. Rashid Khan is expected to top the bowling charts in the World Cup just like he has done since his arrival in international cricket.

Apart from these five, some of the other bowlers who can finish as the leading wicket-takers include Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Mustafizur Rahman, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Shaheen Afridi, and Liam Plunkett.