3 Indian players who can seal their World Cup spot through the Asia Cup

"We are closing in on those core group of players around whom the places will be revolving around here on till the World Cup. We have already closed down on that. Two-three slots we are yet to finalise. So for those slots, we will be looking at these 24 matches (coming up before the World Cup)."

This is what India's chief selector MSK Prasad said while announcing the 16-member squad for the Asia Cup. When analyzing deeper into the spots up for grab, No. 4 spot is the one on which team management must be focused as no player as yet has been able to make it his own since Yuvraj Singh last played for India. With the return of Rayudu, Pandey, and Jadhav in the squad, Indian team is all set to play another round of musical chairs in the middle order and when you place KL Rahul and Suresh Raina (who is not the part of the Indian squad for Asia Cup) in the mix, the battle gets even more interesting.

Let us take a look at 3 players who can use this Asia Cup as a chance to bolster their chances to grab a flight to England in 2019 and be a part of India's World Cup squad:

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A Huge Opportunity for Ambati Rayudu!!!

#1 Ambati Rayudu

After an impressive IPL, his personal best, Ambati Rayudu was all set to take center stage in International cricket when he was selected for the Indian limited overs squad for the series against Ireland & England. However, he was subsequently shown the door for failing a Yo-yo test before he could board the flight to Ireland.

However, rather than being disheartened by the snub, Rayudu worked on his fitness and passed the Yo-yo test recently and since then he has featured for India A in the Quadrangular series involving India B, Australia A & South Africa A, where he was the 3rd highest run scorer in the tournament which includes a couple of half-centuries and a match-winning 48.

Rayudu last played for India against Zimbabwe in 2016, when a second-string side toured there but has forced his way back with a prolific IPL season in which he scored 602 runs at an average of 43.00 and a strike rate of 149.75.

As things stand, Ambati Rayudu will surely get a look into the playing XI during the Asia Cup and a good show here will help him to seal his spot for the World Cup.

Test of Character awaits Jadhav

#2 Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav was a regular starter in the Indian line-up before he suffered a grade 2 hamstring tear while batting for CSK on the 1st day of IPL 2018. But his place in the side is definitely not secure with many challengers fighting for the same spot in the middle order.

His return to the national team has been based on his past performances as he failed miserably in the just concluded Quadrangular series, where he could only manage 30 runs in three innings. However, given the pace at which he can score and his knack of picking wickets out of nowhere with his round-arm bowling style definitely gives him the edge to get into the playing XI.

A good showing with the bat in the upcoming tournament is a must for Jadhav if he wants to be on the flight to England and reclaim his spot in the side.

The youngster waiting for his chance to prove

#3 Khaleel Ahmed

India's fast bowling department looks rather settled with Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuwneshwar Kumar being the first choice in the XI due to their performances in past 2 years. However, one trick which India lacks is the variety in the form of a left-arm pace bowler. A spot which no bowler has been able to claim since the retirement of the great Zaheer Khan.

Two-three slots we are yet to finalize. So for those slots, we will be looking at these 24 matches (coming up before the World Cup). Among that a seamer's slot is available and we are looking at a left-handed option in Khaleel.

Chief Selector, MSK Prasad's words are very encouraging for the youngster and if the team management is on the same page as selectors, we might see the 20-year old making his debut in the Asia Cup. A good showing here will certainly be crucial for Khaleel to claim a spot in the World Cup team.

20-year left-arm pacer from Rajasthan, Khaleel Ahmed, earned his maiden call to the national team on the back of some good performances for India A on a consistent basis. In the just concluded Quadrangular series, the youngster was the third highest wicket-taker in the tournament, picking up 7 wickets. Before that, Khaleel also put in good performances in the 'A' team tri-series in England, where he picked up six wickets including a 3-wicket haul in the final against England Lions.