Five Players From India's 2017 Champions Trophy Squad Who Could Be Dropped For 2019 World Cup

While the next World Cup is still around a year away, there is absolutely no denying that all the teams have already started planning for it. Team India is not an exception either. The team-management has made it clear that the upcoming series against England will serve as a preparation for next year’s showpiece event which will be held in England and Wales.

The prime objective of each team at the moment is too identify the core of the team. And for the time, India is going on the right track. The Virat Kohli-led side is a force to reckon with in ODIs. The historic series win in South Africa earlier this year has pretty much made it clear that they would be one of the favourites to win the coveted title next year.

Moreover, India know what it takes to do well in England, having done exceedingly well in the last two Champions Trophies held in England. In 2013, they had won the title before finishing up at the second place last year. But while many would feel that India might go in with the same team that played the 2017 Champions Trophy, there are few players who can face the axe.

So here we take a look at five players who played in last year’s Champions Trophy but are likely to be axed for next World Cup:

5. Kedar Jadhav:

Jadhav has been mainly used by India as a multi-utility player. He has the ability to score some crucial runs in addition to picking up some crucial breakthroughs. His useful contributions had made him an indispensable part of the team not very long ago.

However, the ongoing year is turning out to be a nightmare for him. He has failed to perform as per his reputation. And his position has been deteriorated by injuries. With the team-management focussing on fitness, Jadhav faces a herculean task. Moreover, the likes of Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul and Suresh Raina have surged ahead of him in the pecking order.

Jadhav last played for India in the ODI series against South Africa. He was later dropped for the Nidahas Trophy due to a string of sloppy performances. The 33-year old injury prone cricketer is unlikely to catch the flight to England.

4. Ravindra Jadeja:

Not very long ago, seeing Ravindra Jadeja out of the ODI team was an unthinkable proposition. Well, the scenario has completely changed since the arrival of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both the wrist spinners have done exceedingly well and are likely to get the nod for next year’s World Cup.

Jadeja lost his place due to his ineffective bowling on unfriendly tracks. His failure to contribute with the bat has also not helped his cause.

3. Ajinkya Rahane:

Unlike Test cricket, Rahane is yet to cement his place in the ODI team. He has rarely manage to put up consistent showing in the coloured jersey.

He has been given ample chances but he rarely managed to grab them. As a result, the Test vice-captain has always been in and out of the Indian ODI and T20 squads. This year, he scored only 140 runs in 6 matches. Not surprisingly, he was dropped for the upcoming ODI series in England. What made matter worse for him is his disastrous performance in this year’s IPL. Considering his recent form, he is unlikely to be named in the World Cup squad.

2. Yuvraj Singh:

There are very players in the world like Yuvraj Singh when it comes to performing at the grandest stage of the game. He was the Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup, helping India win the title. However, it is very much clear that the southpaw has lost his mojo now.

Despite making a comeback after recovering from cancer, he failed to cement his place in the side due to inconsistency. In this year’s IPL, he managed just 65 runs from 8 matches with a high score of 20. With age and form not on his side, he too is unlikely to be included in the team.

1. Ravichandran Ashwin:

Just like his spin partner in Tests Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin has also fallen down the pecking order due to Kuldeep and Chahal’s brilliant performances. Ashwin’s weakness of leaking runs in ODI format and ineffectiveness on unfriendly tracks compelled the team-management to look for alternatives and they are now reaping the rewards.

Ashwin last played an ODI during the West Indies tour last year. With Kuldeep and Chahal going strong, he too is unlikely to play next year’s World Cup. Moreover, Washington Sundar’s rise is also going to make things tough for the ace off-spinner.