World Cup 2019: India's five open slots

The Bowlers

Contenders: Umesh Yadav, Siddharth Kaul, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Krunal Pandya.

In recent times, India's bowling unit - consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Hardik Pandya has been more settled and potent than it has been for a long period in Indian cricket. This is why it is rather surprising that, with regard to bowling backups, despite having a variety of options, India has not found steady and certain options.

Given that the World Cup is taking place in England, the Indian team will want to take at least one extra seam bowler. Out of the previously mentioned contenders, Shardul Thakur, who has been with the team for the longest time, seems to be the prime contender.

However, that being said, he has rarely featured in the playing XI, and recently, in the Asia Cup, he had a dismal outing in the only game he played; thus, the selectors may turn to other options.

Umesh Yadav, Deepak Chahar, and Siddarth Kaul, all of whom had productive IPLs, have been given chances but they have not been able to seal a spot for themselves. Thus, despite a plethora of options (including some not mentioned in this list), the Indian team has not found its ideal backup seamer yet.

India will also need to include a potential replacement for Hardik Pandya or one of the spinners - this will need to be someone that can bat at seven and contribute at least 6-7 overs every game.

Currently, barring Hardik himself, there seem to be only three contenders that can properly fulfill this role, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Krunal Pandya. Even though Axar has been with the team for the longest time, out of these three, Ravindra Jadeja seems to be the prime contender, largely on the basis of his impressive limited overs comeback.

Krunal Pandya, who seems to be in good touch in the ongoing domestic season, is another serious contender for this position. However, given the ineffectiveness of finger spinners in England, the selectors may go a different route and include an additional fast bowler in the side at the expense of one of these three.