ICC CWC 2019: Top 5 IPL performers to watch out for

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is scheduled to take place between 26 May to 14 July 2019. England and Wales are the official hosts of the extravagant cricketing tournament. All the top teams must be gearing up now for the ultimate battle that happens in ODI cricket.

The 2019 edition of Indian Premier League was preponed to end just in time before the World Cup. The cash-rich league featured some of the best Indian and International players this year as they always do. As usual, most of them showed scintillating performances.

Some of the best performers of the 2019 Indian Premier League will be playing in the World Cup. The biggest challenge that they would face in England is to adapt to the conditions and the format. We have to wait and watch if they would be able to replicate their IPL form.

Here is a list of five best performers from this year's IPL whose performances would be crucial in the World Cup.

---

#5 Andre Russell

Andre Russell smashed the maximum sixes of the season (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

West Indies World Cup squad looks formidable and is filled with big hitters. Undoubtedly, Chris Gayle would have a key role to play as an opener. In death overs, however, Andre Russell promises to be much more destructive as a batsman.

The Caribbean all-rounder was the only ray of hope in the underwhelming KKR season. With 510 runs in 14 matches, Russell ensured that Kolkata always had the adequate runs flowing. Russell's strike rate of 204.81 is the tournament's best this year.

The big striker also cleared the fence very often hitting 52 sixes which made him the leading six-hitter of the tournament. He was also quite handy with the ball and took 11 wickets in the season. It has to be seen in this World Cup whether Andre Russell would be able to clear the fence often as he did in IPL.

#4 MS Dhoni

Dhoni's batting and captaincy are the main reasons for CSK reaching the finals (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not win the orange cap or the coveted trophy, but he played a very prominent role this season. Despite having an inconsistent middle order Dhoni through his batting and leadership took the team to the finals.

Dhoni was the only consistent batsman in the side. His score of 416 from 12 innings made him the highest run-getter for CSK this season. Additionally, his average of 83.20 ended up as the season's best.

As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni's lightning quick stumpings and catches would be crucial for team India. The Indian skipper Virat Kohli would be benefited from the guidance of the World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni.

If the CSK captain remains consistent as a batsman and as a wicketkeeper for team India then the men in blue would sail smoothly to victory. If he is used as a finisher to play quickfire batting in death overs it would be easy for him to replicate his T20 form.

#3 Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir celebrates a crucial wicket (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

Imran Tahir surprised everyone by his vintage performances throughout the tournament. Only a few would've expected the ageing South African leg spinner to win the purple cap. Tahir is now the oldest purple cap holder in IPL.

The veteran spinner is also the overseas bowler who made the biggest impact in the season. 26 wickets from 17 matches clearly show the kind of impact Tahir made with the ball. If the legendary spinner can replicate his IPL form in the World Cup then South Africa has the most chances to win their maiden trophy as their bowling attack looks deadly.

Faf du Plessis would have closely observed the way Tahir had been used by the World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni. Thus, it will be helpful for him to use this spinner adeptly in high-pressure situations. It has to be seen how the World Cup turns out to be for the CSK talisman.

#2 Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada went so close to winning the purple cap (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

Each and every year the Indian Premier League opens up the opportunity for promising youngsters to showcase their best. This year it was Kagiso Rabada who used the IPL stage to showcase his fullest potential with the ball.

The South African quick snatched 25 wickets from just 12 matches. Unfortunately, an injury ruled him out halfway. If it wasn't for that injury then Rabada would have won the purple cap. Delhi Capitals, unfortunately, lost in the knockout stages because of his absence.

However, the South African fast bowler has recovered well and is ready to play the World Cup. If Rabada adapts to the English conditions then South Africa would possess an unplayable pace attack.

This can even lead them to a potential World Cup success for the first time. Having the experienced Dale Steyn in the same squad would provide Rabada with necessary guidance.

#1 David Warner

Warner celebrates a crucial century against RCB (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

IPL 2019 featured David Warner's return to the tournament after a one year ban due to his involvement in the sandpaper incident. On his return, many thought that Warner would need some time to get settled. However, he fired right from the starting stages of the season. It was a perfect return for the champion as he set the IPL stage on fire by his batting. Warner secured the orange cap of IPL 2019 despite being absent for the final stages of the tournament.

The Australian opener's score of 692 from just 12 matches looks totally unbelievable. If his form continues then he might close the 2019 World Cup as the leading run scorer. One thing Warner should keep in mind is that the conditions at England would be slightly different.

Everything depends on how good he adapts to the conditions and the format. As of now, his IPL batting shows that he can be heavily relied upon.

Who are some other best IPL performers you are waiting to see in the World Cup? Comment below.