5 Indian players who might not make it to the World Cup squad

The much-awaited ICC mega-event is only four months away now and the preparations of each side are approaching their final and respective destinations. With only a handful amount of ODI’s left for each team before the start of the World Cup 2019, it’s these moments that make the difference in the end.

For each team, it’s necessary that they fill those vital gaps with some key players and the gap-filled Indian middle-order is a living example of the same. On the other hand, the Australian top-order looks highly unsettled.

Focusing on India, who start as firm favourites for the coveted trophy, are almost a confirmational knock away from the willow of a settled number four who can give the confidence to the management about assured performances in England. While the rest looks assured, the batting order needs a bit of tweaking and the 2011 WC winners will be confident that they can fill it up with a reliable and consistent performer.

Playing for India can always be tough and more so when you’re trying to battle it out for a spot in the 15-man squad. Like Rohit Sharma said prior to the start of the first ODI against Australia, this squad isn’t expected to change much and there are a few players who are expected to miss out on the trip to England in May.

Here we bring you the players who will miss out on the trip to England:

1. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina was present in the 2011 and 2015 WC squads and was instrumental in breaking the 28-year drought eight years ago when India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil. He hasn’t been in the best of forms with the bat off-late and was given sufficient amount of opportunities in the troublesome number 4 spot.

But the left-hander failed to consolidate his position in the team. The 32-year-old veteran is most likely going to miss the trip to England this year owing to the presence of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad, who have been performing consistently for India. Moreover, he was picked in place of Ambati Rayudu for England tour last year but Raina couldn’t latch on to what turned out to be the last chance for him.