India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Here is team India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup. Image Courtesy: Getty

The India National Cricket Team is the force to reckon with in the ODI cricket. Don’t believe me? Look at their recent outings. The Virat Kohli-led team, in the past one year, had won the ODIs in South Africa (5-1), Australia (2-1) and New Zealand (4-1) apart from winning the Asia Cup 2018 and One-Dayers against the Windies at home. Meanwhile, the BCCI will have their task cut when they pick India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup. England and Wales will host the showpiece event, which begins on May 30th at the Kennington Oval. Here, Cricket Addictor will bring you India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup.

India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup

1. Rohit Sharma

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Rohit Sharma. Image Courtesy: Getty

The ranked second batsman in the ODIs, Rohit Sharma will be a vital cog in the wheels for the Men in Blue in the World Cup. He is one of the cornerstones of India’s successful campaign in the SENA countries in past one – hitting centuries in South Africa, England, and Australia. Meanwhile, his credentials at the top of the order are known to the world; thus keeping him as a sure starter at the mega event in the UK.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Shikhar Dhawan. Image Courtesy: Getty

By distance, India’s best performer in the ICC 50-over events, Shikhar Dhawan will make it to India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup. In the past, Dhawan had bagged the Golden Bat award in 2013, 2017 Champions Trophy in England. In addition to it, he had been India’s highest run scorer in the 2015 World Cup Down Under. Even in the Asia Cup last year, the southpaw was the top-scorer with 342 runs in five outings.

Read More  Watch: Rohit Sharma to reclaim MI captaincy? Akash Ambani's animated exchange sparks speculation

3. KL Rahul

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
KL Rahul. Image Courtesy: Getty

The most talked about cricketer in the Indian circuit is KL Rahul. The Karnataka batsman had been in headlines for his off-field issues since the beginning of 2019. Though he had remained out of form for a while now, the Australia series will grant him the best chance to step up, perform and seal his spot for the 2019 World Cup. As far as his reputation as an opener is concerned, he has some credentials to show. Thus, KL Rahul could win the race for the third opener’s place in the India team.

4. Virat Kohli (captain)

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Virat Kohli. Image Courtesy: Getty

The India National Cricket Team captain, Virat Kohli will be the country’s go-to-man in the crises situation. Forget his outstanding numbers, Virat’s presence on the field will be enough to unsettle the opposition. One of the best ODI batsmen, Virat will lead the team from the front as he had done before. Also, he will aim to bring the laurels home for the third time in the UK.

5. Ambati Rayudu

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Ambati Rayudu. Image Courtesy: Getty

There had been a lot of talk regarding Ambati Rayudu’s place in the ODI set up. Though not many favoured him get picked over a few able youngsters, the BCCI and the India captain had thrown their trust behind the Hyderabad batsman. Meanwhile, it was during the Windies series when Kohli had backed him to seal the fourth number slot in India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup.

6. MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper)

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
MS Dhoni. Image Courtesy: Getty

The veteran MS Dhoni will be playing his last World Cup. The 37-year old had begun 2019 on a resounding note; after what transpired in the One-Dayers for him in the past year. In Australia, he scored three fifties off three games before knocking off some runs in New Zealand as well. With the bat, he looks convincing notwithstanding the doubts over his reflexes getting slow. Also, behind the wickets, MS Dhoni remains to be the safest, smartest and most efficient pair of hands in cricket.

Read More  "Yashasvi Jaiswal no superstar, has to prove himself in SENA countries.."- Ravichandran Ashwin's rant

7. Rishabh Pant

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Rishabh Pant. Image Courtesy: Getty

It was evident from MSK Prasad’s words that the BCCI is eyeing to put Rishabh Pant’s name ahead of Dinesh Karthik. In team India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup, Pant is more likely to seal a spot as the second choice wicketkeeper-batsman. In his brief career, the youngster has shown what he has to offer – scoring Tes tons in England and Australia recently.

8. Kedar Jadhav

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Kedar Jadhav. Image Courtesy: Getty

There’s always a ‘Joker’ in the pack of cards. Not that the tag of it sounds funny, but Jadhav’s role becomes lethal for the team in the showpiece event. He can bat lower down the order; he can bowl some part-time spin – which is not easy to play and also Jadhav could be useful on the field. His ‘golden arm’ had helped India on a lot of occasions in the past, and thus his presence could be handy for the Men in Blue.

9. Hardik Pandya

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Hardik Pandya. Image Courtesy: Getty

Currently nursing a lower-back injury, Hardik Pandya is another crucial feather in team India’s hat heading into the 2019 World Cup. More than anything, Virat Kohli’s men will rely a lot upon his reputation of coming good at the fag end of an innings with the bat. Though Hardik’s credentials are far from convincing, he would still be there on the team sheet for the mega event.

10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Image Courtesy: Getty

The swing bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is as important a player for the team as any. He knows how to get rid of the top-order batsmen, as he had been doing it for a long, long time. Even at the death overs, he is crucial – delivering yorkers and slower bouncers. What provides an extra edge to him is his ability to bat at the lower order. Though not necessarily as a pinch-hitter, someone with a stable head who knows how to stick around.

Read More  Irfan Pathan explodes on Hardik Pandya after the Mumbai Indians' captain brings shame to his team

11. Kuldeep Yadav

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Kuldeep Yadav. Image Courtesy: Getty

The unorthodox spinner, Kuldeep Yadav will also make to India’s probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup. He is an x-factor for Virat Kohli’s side. Not only Kuldeep Yadav knows how to break partnerships with his variables, but he also can put a full stop over the rising run-rate. Plus, being a rarity in the game, Kuldeep’s credentials always keep the opposition worried.

12. Yuzvendra Chahal

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Yuzvendra Chahal. Image Courtesy: Getty

The leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal is also a must to get picked for the 2019 World Cup. Though in Kuldeep’s absence – his partner in crime, Chahal had done equally well. Moreover, knowing how the leggies have dominated the game in the ODIs, his inclusion will only boost India’s chances at the 2019 World Cup.

13. Jasprit Bumrah

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Jasprit Bumrah. Image Courtesy: Getty

India’s premier pacer and the ranked no. 1 bowler in the ODIs, Jasprit Bumrah will be Virat’s go-to-man at the showpiece event in the UK. Though the memories of 2017 Champions Trophy finale in England have haunted him for a while, Bumrah has improved by leaps and bounds since then – ready to threaten any opposition on a given day. His credentials, in the beginning, the middle overs and at the death, all are known to the world. Above all, his ability to keep the batsmen at bay during the last overs makes him the most lethal bowler around.

14. Mohammed Shami

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Mohammed Shami. Image Courtesy: Getty

The perfect blend of someone who can use his experience, his cricketing brain in crunch situations, Mohammed Shami is the name. Though he had been India’s premier fast bowler in Tests; since the Australia series, Shami had enrolled himself on the ODI team with some fine performances as well. With the new ball and at the death, he had been crucial – giving Virat Kohli confidence of having someone as a backup.

15. Vijay Shankar

India's probable 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup
Vijay Shankar. Image Courtesy: Getty

There has been a lot of talk over who could fill the final spot in India’s probable 15-man squad for 2019 World Cup. The list included – Dinesh Karthik, Khaleel Ahmed, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja and even Umesh Yadav. Considering the matches, India’s likeliest 11 XI and how Virat likes to alter his players; Vijay Shankar seems to get the nod ahead of the others. He can bowl well – particularly as a part-timer and also has a steady head.

I am more than just a cricket lover. I have been breathing this game since I was three, and now I am making a living out of it. Also, FC Barcelona happens to be my second love, and evidently, I prefer...