ICC World Cup 2019: 5 players who can serve up as the backup options for Team India

The ICC Cricket World Cup is a tournament that every cricketer wishes to be a part of. This carnival comes only once in four years and there is extreme competition for the 15 available spots. The National Selection Committee announced Team India’s squad for the tournament on 15th April 2019. While it brought joy to a few cricketers, it left heartbreaks for a few others.

The squad that the selectors picked was mostly on the expected lines. There is a new number four, though. Vijay Shankar will be the first choice preference for this spot. Also, the selectors ignored Rishabh Pant for the quadrennial event. But he has got a long career ahead and will surely make it the next time. Even though the squad looks well-rounded, there are a few loopholes which couldn’t be addressed. Thus, a few players will be ready for their opportunity in case some unforeseen circumstances occur.

Here are five backup players who can make a strong case:

1. Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu was deemed to be the number four for Team India right until the end of the last year. He also gave up red-ball cricket after Virat Kohli announced that Rayudu will be the number four for the prestigious event. However, in a matter of a few months, life turned upside down for him. Rayudu, all of a sudden, lost his touch this year. He struggled in Australia and played only one inning of substance in New Zealand. Moreover, he hasn’t had a great time in the IPL either.

Thus, he was left out of the squad and Vijay Shankar was picked. But just in case there is an injury to someone in the top-order, he could be looked at as an alternative. However, the chances are very bleak as the management might not press the panic button and fly in a replacement immediately. There are already good options available in the existing squad.