Here are the 5 players who might miss out on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, to be held in England.
1) Ravichandran Ashwin
Due to a downfall in Ashwin’s performances over the past couple of years, selection to 2019 World Cup looks in jeopardy and the 31-year-old will most likely make it to the squad in case of any injuries to either of Yuzvendra Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav.
2) Ajinkya Rahane
India’s No. 4 position, Rahane has found himself out of the limited-overs squad and is facing stiff competition from the likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
Rahane has scored 279 runs at an average of 46.50 in just 7 innings since 2016.
3) Mohammed Shami
Shami has had struggled with fitness issues throughout his career which has led to his dip in the pecking order of seamers in the playing 11.
With the availability of fast bowlers such as Shardul Thakur, Siddharth Kaul, Umesh Yadav in the limited overs format has made it difficult for Shami to get his place back in the squad.
Even if the 28-year-old stays fit in the coming months, his selection will completely depend upon the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuwneshwar Kumar who have been leading the Indian attack.
4) Rishabh Pant
With sharp batting skills as well as superb displays behind the stumps, Rishabh Pant has taken a huge lead in his small career, making it to India’s Test Squad for India A under the guidance of the legendary Rahul Dravid.
Pant, 20, can be an ideal contender for the No. 4 position if given a chance. However, no matter how good he performs domestically, he probably won’t get a chance.
MS Dhoni will be the first choice wicket keeper-batsman till he retires, which has eventually blocked Pant’s ticket to World Cup for time being.
5) Ambati Rayudu
Over the past couple of years, Ambati Rayudu has failed to cement his place in the Indian squad. The time is running out of his hand, if the right-handed middle-order batsman couldn’t prove his fitness before Asia Cup, it would prove too costly for him.
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