3 Players who can help India win the World Cup in 2019

We are less than a year away from the 2019 World Cup to be held in England and Wales. At this point of time, we find India at the second spot on the official ICC ODI rankings, only below the hosts England.

It is no secret that cricket is like a religion in India and the whole nation will be expecting the team to bring the World Cup home next year for the third time. There is reason for hope as well, as the team has dominated most teams that it has faced in the past few years. The recent England tour is also a reason for the Indian fans to be excited about.

Despite losing the ODI series 2-1 and currently being behind in the Test series as well, there have been enough good performances to suggest that India will be one of the favourites to win the World Cup come 2019.

Here are three players who will be very important for the team and can help India win the World Cup in 2019.

---

#3 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is India's best all-rounder at the moment

Hardik Pandya has always had his critics. While some have questioned his maturity, others have raised their doubts over his consistency. In recent months though, the fiery India all-rounder has done everything to shut up his critics.

While always a big hitter, Hardik used to lack the concentration to convert his starts into big knocks in the past. It is clear that he has worked on that though, as he has been one of India's most dependable batsmen in the current series in England.

His improvement with the ball has been remarkable as well. He had always been a solid bowler but now he has transformed into a wicket taker who can be depended upon to break up a partnership given the ball.

If India are to succeed in the World Cup next year, Pandya will be a very big part of that. Right now, he is easily one of the best all-rounders in the world.

#2 Bhuvaneswar Kumar

Bhuvaneswar Kumar is one of world cricket's elite most bowlers at the moment.

Bhuvaneswar Kumar has recently struggled with injuries. It has even led to him missing the current test series in England. On top of that, he managed to play in just one ODI game, in which he looked out sorts, conceding an economy rate of 7.00 without managing to take a single wicket. This will be a headache for the Indian management so close to the World Cup.

But this disappointing England tour does not change the fact that Kumar is one of the best bowlers in world cricket. In an era where every match seems to be decided in the last five overs, a specialist death bowler like Bhuvaneswar Kumar is invaluable.

India will be hoping that Kumar can get back on the field as soon as possible. Although not the most prolific wicket taker, he makes up for it with his economical figures and death bowling ability. India will need him to be fit and firing at the World Cup if they want to lift the trophy next year.

#1. Virat Kohli

Kohli is the heartbeat of this Indian side

Already one of the best batsmen in cricket history, and without doubt the best batsman in world cricket at the moment, Virat Kohli will be central to India's chances at the World Cup next year.

His form in England in this series has had Indian fans dreaming of lifting the World Cup already. Kohli had a very disappointing English tour in 2014, where he averaged a dreadful 18.00 in the ODI series, and a measly 13.50 in the five match Test series. It is to date the worst series of his cricket career.

But this time around, he has exorcised all the ghosts of the past having performed spectacularly in all three formats, and has smashed two centuries already in the Test series. The Indian captain will be looking to outdo himself next year, though, as he leads the Indian charge at the World Cup.

Kohli is the key to India's World Cup hopes. If he performs, India can dream. If he fails, the whole nation will fall silent. The hopes of a nation rest on his shoulders.