IPL 2019: 8 players who need to impress to seal World Cup spots

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

The Kolkata Knight Riders had a great season contrary to what was expected of them in IPL 2018. A major reason for that was the guile and class of skipper Dinesh Karthik who made an emphatic return to the Indian team because of this. He wasn't able to firmly consolidate his place in the side, though and played well in patches and is currently in the middle of a quagmire in World Cup selection along with Rishabh Pant.

Just when it seemed that India would go with the experienced Kolkata skipper for the World Cup, he was dropped for the all-important ODI series against Australia and Pant was selected. Though Chief Selector MSK Prasad said that it didn't mean the end for Karthik, we're bound to feel that the inclination to go for Pant has increased. Karthik won't be able to ascertain his worth in national colors before the World Cup and the IPL will be his chance to do so.

He will be raring to go and win the IPL this season as it means more to him than just conquering the other 7 teams in the league, this season holds the key to his WC dream and he will surely fight for it with his life.