Team India is set for a grueling cricket season in the upcoming months. And ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, it will be really important to manage the players of the Indian team so that they remain fit for the mega-event. After the conclusion of West Indies series at home, Team India will next travel to the southern hemisphere where they will face Australia before playing against New Zealand, which will be their final international assignment before the World Cup of 2019.
However after the NZ series, the Indian players would have to play yet another arduous competition before the 2019 World Cup. The nearly 2-month long T20 competition – Indian Premier League – will test the players even more as it would require more travelling for the players because of the beginning of the 2019 general elections in India. So in order to have the best players ready for the World Cup, there has to be a decision regarding the participation of some key players in the IPL.
Here is the list of 7 such players, who are really important for their respective IPL franchises, but should not take part in the tournament because of the greater good of the nation.
Rohit Sharma
In recent years, Rohit Sharma’s workload as a cricketer has increase a lot. His role as Mumbai Indians captain and regular opener of India’s limited overs squad has taken a toll on him mentally and physically. He has been a consistent performer for India in ODIs and T20Is and has played a crucial role in many Indian victories. An injury to him will be a big blow for India at the World Cup.
Virat Kohli
The world no.1 batsman in ODIs and skipper of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has been scoring runs for fun in recent years. During his captaincy, Kohli has made a century once in every four matches. Citing heavy workload, Kohli has rested himself in few series in between a hectic schedule, including the Asia Cup. It would really be a wise decision if he and the BCCI decide to do the same in IPL 2019 because India can’t afford to miss the services of “King Kohli” in World Cup.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Dhoni might not be the captain of the Indian side but he is the leader with a very good understanding of the game and vast experience. Even now, Kohli considers MSD as his captain and go-to man. Even though, Dhoni is super-fit he is now in late 30s. His body might not respond to the extra workload the way it did before. Considering this, he is definitely a candidate to succumb under extra pressure and matches. That’s why his absence in the IPL is much-needed from Team India’s perspective.
Kedar Jadhav
After suffering a hamstring injury in the opening match of the 2018 Indian Premier League, Kedar Jadhav had to stay away from cricket for six months. Once he regained his fitness he was straight away included in the limited overs team for Asia Cup. During the tournament, he instantly proved his worth with the bat and also with him low-arm accurate bowling but also showed signs that he has not yet fully recovered from his hamstring injury. He is a true match-winner and Team India needs him to be fully fit for the World Cup
Hardik Pandya
India’s only fast-bowling all-rounder at present received an injury during the recently concluded Asia Cup. Hardik is India’s key to winning the World Cup as he provides a balance to the side with his all-round performance and if gets an injury in the IPL, India will have no direct replacement for the swashbuckling all-rounder and will have plenty of problems at the World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah
The number one bowler in ODI cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is very accurate with his line and length and forms a lethal partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the top and in the death overs of the game. Currently he plays all the three formats for his country and with the workload in the tours of Australia and New Zealand, it would be very risky if he plays in the IPL as well.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
He has been nursing his back injury for quite a while now. Due to excess workload, the injury has been resurfacing on a regular basis. Even in this year’s IPL, he missed quite a few matches due to the injury. During the limited-overs matches on the tour of England, he again injured his back and missed the whole Test series. He is one of the best death bowlers in the world and India cannot afford to lose him considering the fact the World Cup is in England.