Why the IPL ahead of the World Cup might be a blessing in disguise for India

There has been a lot of buzz about the IPL this year, probably because the World Cup is just after that. Management of injury-prone cricketers has come to attention this time as the World Cup starts just 20 days after the cash-rich league. The teams don't want to lose their key players and would like to give all of them a sufficient amount of rest before the big tournament.

India too might decide to rest some of their important players. In India's last assignment before the World Cup, against Australia, India lost their first home series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli because of loss in form of some players. Ambati Rayadu, K.L Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and even vice-captain Rohit Sharma had a tough time with the bat in the series, managing just 105 runs in 4 matches, excluding the 95 he scored in Mohali. There can be no other platform better than the IPL for these players to regain form ahead of the World Cup.

Players, who haven't yet been able to cement their place in the squad, will look to blast this season to get a direct entry into the World Cup. Some spots which are yet to be finalized, like the No. 4 and the 4th seamer, the players can take the IPL as an opportunity to seal those spots.

The number 4 spot, which is vacant since the last World Cup, isn't addressed yet. There were some players who gave performances to fill the vacant spot but their inconsistent scores haven't yet given the assurance to the team to depend on them. Domestic players, who haven't yet been looked at, can get their name in the squad, if they perform well and consistently.

For the 4th seamer, either of Khaleel K Ahmed or Mohammed Siraj, has to impress in the upcoming edition of IPL to book their and the team's spot.

The IPL is always known to be a competitive platform for players to perform, and with the best players from all over the world playing the league, we also get that young blood coming in to show their talent to the world. In the past also, we have seen bright stars emerging from the league and then going on to represent their country at the highest level. For me, IPL can be the best platform for out-of-form players to get back in good touch ahead of the big Cup.

This year's IPL will be the most important if seen with a broader aspect, India has a few issues to work on, which can be addressed in the IPL itself. Kohli and Co, despite mentioning that the IPL will not be a source of World Cup selection, the management would have a secret eye on all of them.

Till then, the players are getting ready to don the jerseys of their respective adopted homes at the IPL, which commences on the 23rd of March