ICC World Cup 2019: Players who could be the 'X-factor' for their respective teams

After the completion of an exciting IPL season, the cricketers and fans are now gearing up for the mother of all cricket tournaments - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The format for this year's World Cup has excited everyone alike. All the 10 teams would be competing against each other in the league stage and then 4 teams will make it to the semi-finals.

Due to this format, the teams cannot afford to lose their momentum in the middle stage of the tournament as this can affect their results going forward. Therefore, each team would be hoping some of their players could bring in that string of scintillating performances for their team and have a positive effect on the results.

Here are some players who can prove to be the X-factor for their respective teams.

#1. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Rashid Khan has carved out a name for himself in world cricket with his talent. The Afghan leg-spinner is the first choice for every team in the T20 leagues played all over the world.

It is no brainer that Rashid Khan will potentially be Afghanistan's X-factor in the World Cup this year. He is not new to world cricket and now every other batsman knows how to play him. His struggles were seen in the recently concluded IPL. But that doesn't mean that he is not capable of picking wickets for his team.

Rashid is very much aware of his strengths and knows how to play with the batsman's mind. He is also a very capable fielder and a handy lower-order batsman. HIs all-around skills make him the perfect X-factor that a team wants going forward into a big tournament.

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#2. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Glenn Maxwell has had a good run recently

Glenn Maxwell is a proven match-winner for any team he plays for. He has been in good form in the last couple of months. He has played some match-winning innings for Australia in their recent series triumphs against the Asian giants India and Pakistan.

Both Australia and Maxwell would be hoping him to continue his good form into the World Cup as the Aussies are the defending champions. Maxwell's contributions towards the team are very vital as he is not only a capable batsman but also an athletic fielder and can roll over his arms when needed.

Australia don't start as the favourites for many in this World Cup, but Glenn Maxwell can become the X-factor that this Australian team is looking for to defend their title this year.

#3. Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Tamim Iqbal is key to Bangladesh's success

Every time Tamim Iqbal scores big, Bangladesh go on to win the match more often than not. He provides good quick starts for the team that is always important whether putting up the score or chasing.

The Bangladesh team is no more a minnow in world cricket and is looked up as a genuine competition in ICC Tournaments. They reached the quarter-finals in 2015 World Cup and semi-final in the 2017 Champions Trophy only to lose to India on both the occasions.

They would look to better their record this time around and Tamim could well be the X-factor player for them in achieving this. He has been in good form recently registering 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries in the last 15 ODIs played. He can not only take the attack to the opposition but also anchor the innings when needed.

The ever-enthusiastic and passionate Bangladeshi fans would like seeing their superstar winning matches for them in this tournament.

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#4. Jos Buttler (England)

Jos Buttler has been a game changer for England

The host England starts as the overwhelming favourites in this edition of World Cup. They have the players and home advantage as well. But, they would be looking for the game-changing player that can help them break the jinx this time at the World Cup.

The English team is stacked with match-winners in their squad but can look upon Jos Buttler as the potential game changer in tough situations. Buttler holds the fastest century record for England in ODIs and has finished matches for them successfully. He is also regarded as Mr. 360 in the cricketing world alongside AB de Villiers and is one of the most feared batsmen.

Buttler's ability to snatch the games from dire positions to winning them makes him a very lethal player. He is definitely the X-factor for this England side and may also help in guiding his team to their maiden World Cup title this year which they are very optimistic about.

#5. Hardik Pandya (India)

Hardik Pandya has impressed everyone with his batting and bowling abilities

After being surrounded by injuries and controversies in the past few months, Hardik Pandya has been on the road to redemption. He proved himself with his exceptional IPL outing this year and will eager to repeat the same in the World Cup.

Hardik is a more matured player now. He is destructive in his batting and effective with his bowling. He will surely provide comfort to Virat Kohli with his all-round abilities.

In a team filled with superstars like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah; Hardik will make his presence felt like he did the same in the Champions Trophy 2017. The resurgence of Hardik Pandya will prove to be an X-factor for Team India in this World Cup.

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#6. Ross Taylor

Experience of Taylor would be a valuable addition to New Zealand's line-up

Ross Taylor is the most experienced Kiwi batsmen in their World Cup squad. With over 200 ODI matches under his belt and over 8,000 ODI runs with 20 centuries in a career spanning more than a decade, Taylor definitely brings a lot to the table.

New Zealand has always performed well at the ICC Tournaments and were also the runners-up in 2015. They would surely like to better this record and would like their star players to rise up to the occasion.

Taylor has been in a very good form in recent times, churning out runs for his side and winning matches. He holds the key for the Kiwis in the middle order as they lack experience in their batting. With teams scoring more than 300 runs in nearly every game in England, Taylor will become vital in doing so for his side.

#7. Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Fakhar Zaman is a hard-hitting batsman

Fakhar Zaman's name is still etched in the minds of every Indian courtesy his match-winning century against India in the Champions Trophy 2017.

He is the only Pakistani batsman with an ODI double-hundred to his name. He is an explosive opening batsman and loves scoring big runs. He may be inconsistent, but can never be ruled out of the game. On his given day he can win matches on his own.

The English conditions also suit him and have already scored a century and half-century in the ongoing series against England. He is surely the X-factor for Pakistan and if they want to repeat their CT17 heroics, then they would hope Zaman to go all guns blazing this tournament.

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#8. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Kagiso Rabada has been in a good form

Kagiso Rabada was in a sensational form throughout the IPL and it even helped the Delhi Capitals to qualify into the playoffs. He is lethal both in the powerplays and in the death overs. His presence in the South African team makes their bowling look much stronger.

The Proteas have often been labelled as "the chokers" for their ability of not winning the matches in the knockout stages. Their batting looks fine with Amla, de Kock, du Plessis in their ranks and it all boils down to their bowling to pull up their socks in this mega event.

Rabada with all his skills and abilities could provide an edge to the Proteas in the English given that it is going to be run-fest for the batsmen and the team who bowls well will triumph most of the time. He is the potential game changer for his team and may well provide an impetus to South Africa, who'll be willing to erase their cliched tag this World Cup.

#9. Kusal Perera

Kusal Perera can be Sri Lanka's hero

Kusal Perera has been a very effective batsman for Sri Lanka. He's been inconsistent but has often churned out match-winning innings for his team. Sri Lankan cricket is going through a rough phase currently. Having the worst win percentage ratio, the island nation would like to pull-off something marvellous in this World Cup.

The Sri Lankan team would be hoping to see a sparkling performance from one of their players to boost their morale going forward in this tournament. Kusal could well provide some vital contributions to his team. He can play some good shots and score the runs quickly and is also good in chasing totals.

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#10. Andre Russell (Windies)

Russell can turn any game in Windies's favour

Andre Russell needs no introduction. His presence in the opposition team is enough to send chills down the bowlers. He has recently lit up the IPL 2019 with his game-changing knocks and surely was the X-factor in Kolkata Knight Riders' camp.

Russell would be hoping to carry his IPL form to the World Cup. The two-times champion Windies would like to see Russell firing in this mega event. The Windies have formed a good core group for this World Cup and is ready to surprise the big teams.

Russell's role gets even more important as he is responsible to finish the games while chasing and boost the team's total while batting first. His bowling and fielding will also come in handy for his team.

Overall, the Russell factor would be the major topic of discussion in every dressing room and teams would be eager to stop his carnage to win against the West Indies.