ICC World Cup 2019: Who are the biggest game-changers for India?

The biggest cricketing event in 4 years, the World Cup 2019, starts in May this year and 10 teams will battle it out to lay their hands on that prestigious trophy. It will all boil down to who handles the pressure well; the team that will be able to get out of crunch situations most often will take the trophy home.

As of now, India and England are firm favorites to win the cup. This is purely on the basis of the progress these two teams have made in the last four years.

Now every team has one or more players in their squad who are capable of winning matches single-handedly. These game-changers have high chances of being the top performers at the World Cup.

So who are the game-changers in the Indian cricket team?

The 2011 World Cup winners have had an amazing four years since the end of the 2015 World Cup. Having finished as semi-finalists there, they have come a long way to being favorites at this year's World Cup.

India has the best batsman as well as the best bowler in ODI cricket, which helps their cause a great deal.

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the main game-changer for India. The Indian skipper has been playing in a different league altogether for the past couple of years, breaking records consistently and scoring runs all round the globe.

The ultimate king of chasing will want to show his class again in this World Cup. Unlike other teams, India can rest assured that King Kohli will surely perform and stand true to his high stature in international cricket.

Stats need not be stated in Kohli's case as his name itself sends chills down the opposition bowlers' spines.

Bumrah and Kohli are the assets India need to preserve for the World Cup

Another game-changer for India is fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Much like Kohli, he has been very consistent as well, and has shown no signs of stopping anywhere since his debut. He has proven time and again why he is a huge asset to the team.

Bumrah has used his awkward bowling action to his advantage brilliantly, taking 78 wickets in 44 matches at a brilliant average of a little over 21. He is another player who will surely perform for the team, whatever the conditions.

This awkward action of his combined with his impeccable consistency make him an absolute gem of a player and a bona fide game-changer for the Indian cricket team.

Also in the squad will be the spin twins of India, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both these bowlers have been instrumental in the middle-overs for India, right since their debut. They have been very consistent for the Indian team, and if they can continue with their good performances, they can play a big role in the Indian team's success.

Another good player is Hardik Pandya. Pandya has filled in the slot of the fast-bowling all-rounder, something India had been looking for since a long time. He has been quite good in the opportunities he has been given, contributing either with bat or ball in almost all his outings.

Two other important players in the Indian team are its openers. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have formed one of the best opening pairs in modern times. While everybody knows how lethal Rohit is on his good days, in ICC tournaments, it is Dhawan who has been stealing the limelight.

In all the ICC tournaments Dhawan has played so far, he has come off as a completely different player. His game suddenly takes a big leap in multi-nation tournaments, which is a boon for the team.

Both these openers will have the responsibility of laying a good foundation for India in every match they play.