3 Forgotten Indian players who featured in 2019 ODI World Cup

India is leaving no stone unturned in preparation for the impending ODI World Cup. The team management is strategically using the Asia Cup and the series against Australia to fine-tune the playing XI and tactics before the tournament. With a strong focus on winning their first major trophy since 2013, India aims to address key areas and solidify their strategy. 

The Asia Cup, followed by the Australia series, provides a crucial opportunity to assess the team’s form, experiment with combinations, and build the desired momentum. These series will serve as valuable testing grounds to ensure India arrives at the World Cup with a well-rounded and competitive unit, poised to claim the coveted title. However, amid the ongoing preparations today, in this article we will discuss those forgotten players who participated in the World Cup 2019 for India.

3. Vijay Shankar

The first name on this list should be all-rounder Vijay Shankar. With two decent IPL seasons, Shankar banged into the national team and was sent to the UK with the World Cup squad. His inclusion was one of the biggest talking points of the tournament, as fans and former cricketers were expecting an in-form Ambati Rayudu in the 15-member squad.

However, team management trusted Shankar’s abilities and included him in the squad. But things took an unwanted turn as Shankar fractured his right toe and was ruled out of the team. He failed to put on a show in the marquee event, and India lost a key player. Later on, he failed to impress the selectors with his performance and was left out of the further selections.

2. Kedar Jadhav

Another forgotten player is all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, a member of India’s 2019 World Cup squad who has gradually faded from the limelight. Despite a respectable ODI track record, his performance in the World Cup failed to live up to expectations. Post-tournament, Jadhav has seen limited opportunities, featuring in only seven matches. In these limited opportunities, he scored 153 runs at an average of 33.8 and a strike rate of 109.

Once considered a crucial middle-order batter and a decent part-time bowler, his contributions have failed to live up to the mark. The transition towards a younger generation of players and the need for consistent performances have overshadowed his presence. Jadhav’s journey stands as a testament to the fierce competition in international cricket.

1. Mayank Agarwal

Star India batter Mayank Agarwal was also a member of India’s 2019 World Cup squad. Being one of the best young batters of that time, Mayank faded away from the national side. Despite being a promising young batter and a consistent performer in Test cricket, his ODI stint was limited. He was drafted in as a replacement for Vijay Shankar but didn’t get a chance to prove his worth in the World Cup.

The post-COVID era has been unkind to him as he struggles to perform across formats, further distancing him from the national team. Agarwal’s early promise and potential have dimmed, and he currently faces an uphill battle to reclaim a spot on the national team. His journey reflects the competitive nature of cricket.