ICC World Cup 2019: An alternative XI of Indian players who missed the World Cup ticket

India's 15-member squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 was announced on Monday, April 15. The selectors seem to have found the right mix between youth and experience, plus the backups for each position are clearly mentioned which is very important for the players to prepare for such a long and important tournament.

There are a few bold picks that have benefited players like Vijay Shankar. The same bold decisions have left out other players like Ambati Rayudu.

On that note, let us look at India's alternate playing XI from the players who missed the World Cup ticket.

#1 Openers

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal has been knocking on the doors for an Indian call-up for nearly two seasons now. He has been among the top scorers in the domestic competitions.

With 2000+ runs in this season's Ranji trophy and a 50+ average in List A matches, he got the well-deserved national call-up for the Indian Test side on the tour of Australia. He proved his worth at the highest level by scoring two fifties in three innings.

Mayank Agarwal

But breaking into ODI squad has been difficult due to the presence of the in-form Rohit and Dhawan. The selectors' continuous trust in KL Rahul has not helped either.

That said, with age on his side, Agarwal is sure to get more chances in Indian colors.

Ajinkya Rahane

Sacrifices will definitely pay well in the future. This statement seems to be an exception for Ajinkya Rahane. For a player who was ready to bat wherever the team needed him to, the selectors should have been kinder towards him.

Rahane was never given a clear batting position though he was a regular in the squad till 2018. On the South Africa tour in 2018 Virat Kohli backed him for the number 4 spot, but he was never given a chance after that.

Rahane would have been a good choice for the World Cup as he can play multiple roles. This would have given the selectors the option to pick an extra fast bowler in the squad.

Rahane can still play the next World Cup if he can prove his worth in the coming years.

#2. Middle order

Ambati Rayudu

The World Cup ticket slipped from Ambati Rayudu's grasp just recently. After some good performances in Australia and New Zealand, he was touted to be the number four for India's World Cup campaign. But he did not repay the team's trust in him as he failed to continue producing those good performances.

Rayudu

Rayudu was dropped in the last two matches against Australia in the home series. He hasn't made a mark in the IPL 2019 either, where he has been demoted to middle order because of his poor form.

Rayudu will be 37 by the time of the next World cup and it is unlikely that he will catch the selectors' eye post this year's mega event.

Shubman Gill

The budding youngster may not be ready to play at the biggest stage for India. But Shubman Gill is surely one to look out for in the future.

Shubman Gill

Gill has been consistent in domestic competitions and India-A tours. He has been playing under the close guidance of Rahul Dravid for more than 3 years now, which would help him greatly at the international level.

Gill already has two ODI caps to his name, and he may go on to play many World Cups for India in the future.

Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey

He is one of the players who was considered as the next big thing in cricket a few years ago. Manish Pandey started his career exactly from where Kohli began, but he just could not capitalize on the chances given to him.

Pandey was a regular in India's ODI squad for more than a year but did not produce the kind of performances that would cement his place. He was eventually sidelined from the squad due to high competition for the number 4 slot in Indian batting lineup.

Pandey can make a comeback into the Indian side if he can be more consistent in his domestic performances.

#3.Wicketkeeper

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was at the doorstep of making the squad but just lost out.

He has proved his batting skills, and is considered among the best in various conditions. But it was his wicketkeeping skills that denied him the chance.

Wicketkeeping is one of the most important roles in cricket and in tournaments like World Cup, keepers can make a big difference with run outs and stumpings. The selectors were right to deny Pant and go with Dinesh Karthik instead.

Pant has the age on his side and is sure to get more chances at the biggest stage in the future.

#4. All-rounder

Axar Patel

Axar Patel

In an era of wrist spinners, Axar Patel was always an outside choice for the World Cup. It was only his ability to bat down the order that gave him an edge in the slot of the all-rounder.

With Kedar Jadhav surprising everyone with some crucial wickets, and Ravindra Jadeja being spectacular in the field, things just did not go as Axar would have wanted.

Though his chances of making a comeback are slim, he can be in the plans for the future if he performs consistently with both bat and ball.

#5. Spinner

Ravi Ashwin (c)

Ravichandran Ashwin

A spinner who is the prime performer in his country's Test squad has no place in the ODI squad. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja were overlooked from the limited overs squad for nearly one and a half years after the Champions Trophy.

Jadeja managed to make the cut by making use of the chances he got. But Ashwin had no such chances, and will find not board the plane to England.

It will be wrong to say Ashwin's career is over as he has in him to take up the challenge and prove his worth to the world again.

#6. Fast bowlers

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav

He is another victim of squad rotation. Though he has produced some big performances, they were often followed by some poor ones. He could have been a better player if he was given a consistent run.

After this World Cup axe, Umesh Yadav should work hard to improve and find his way back into the Indian team.

Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed

A left-arm pacer would have been a giant weapon for India's strong bowling line-up. Khaleel hmed had it all in him to make his way into the squad, but not the consistency.

Khaleel still has a lot of cricket left in him and he must concentrate on the future instead of weeping over the missed opportunity.

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur

Just like Khaleel, Shardul Thakur also got plenty of chances but he was not productive enough to challenge the likes of Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. His slower balls can be effective in the death overs, but his temperament is a question mark.

Thakur has been performing well in the IPL but not consistently enough. He needs to be a reliable bowler that his captain can turn to at a time of crisis, but he isn't quite there yet.

Thakur has it in him to improve and if he does he will surely get a lot of chances to play for India in the future.