Five Indian players who could never play in the ODI World Cup

World Cup is considered the pinnacle of every sport. Every player dreams to represent his team at the highest stage of the sport and bringing glory to his country by winning the coveted cup. The ODI World Cup is the most respected and competitive tournament in world cricket. The euphoria of a World Cup win is incomparable to the victory of any other trophy in cricket.

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Several great players have graced the field fighting for the ultimate glory for their nations at the world cup. But numerous players have also missed out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity despite being at the top of their game in their careers. On that note, let’s take a look at five Indian players who never played an ODI World Cup match:

1. Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma (Source: Twitter)

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Ishant Sharma burst onto the scene in 2008 as a tall fast-bowler who could rattle any top batter in the world. The seamer made a name for himself and became a regular mainstay in the Indian team in all three formats. Despite regularly featuring in the ODIs for a number of years, Ishant could never seal a spot in the ODI World Cup team.

In the second half of his ODI career, Sharma got under the scanner for leaking runs profusely. Despite numerous ups and downs in his career, he had a good chance to join the 2015 WC team. However, his spot was forfeited due to injury concerns and Sharma’s dream to play in ODI World Cup could not be fulfilled.

2. Irfan Pathan

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Irfan Pathan (Source: Twitter)

Irfan Pathan’s career was on an upward graph in the 2006-2007 phase. The southpaw was performing with both bat and ball for India. His consistency also got him a place in the 2007 ODI World Cup but sadly Pathan didn’t get a game in the three matches India played in the tournament.

He played a crucial role in India’s 2007 20-20 World Cup victory but could never find a place again in the ODI World Cup team. Pathan last represented India in an ODI match in 2012, and he also has 173 ODI wickets to his name. Since he has left the sport, Pathan has continued to perform in various T20 leagues he’s played.

3. Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu (Source: Twitter)

Ambati Rayudu had great hopes of being India’s no 4 batter in the ODI World Cup of 2019. But all his hopes were crushed when he found himself excluded from the squad with the team going with Vijay Shankar over him. Rayudu was hailed as the solution for India’s much talked about no 4 position as captain Virat Kohli categorically stated the same in a press conference.

Before the controversy in 2019, Rayudu was selected in the team for the 2015 World Cup but he didn’t get a chance to play in the marquee event. Rayudu had a magnificent average of 47 in his ODI career but despite his great numbers he never got a chance to show his talent at the biggest stage of the Cricket World Cup.

4. VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman (Source: Twitter)

VVS Laxman was one of the strongest pillars in the Indian middle order throughout his career in Tests. He played many memorable knocks which got India out of misery on numerous occasions. However, the same couldn’t be said about his ODI career.

Despite playing 86 ODI matches, he could never seal a place in the side. Laxman was expected to make the cut in the 2003 World Cup squad but the selectors showed more faith in Dinesh Mongia. After that, he didn’t play much ODI cricket and focused on the Tests.

5. Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel (Source: Twitter)

Parthiv Patel made his international debut way back in 2002 vs England as a young wicketkeeper batter. Patel was picked in the 2003 world Cup squad for his sheer talent but the southpaw didn’t play a single match as Rahul Dravid kept the wickets throughout the tournament.

After the 2003 World Cup, he faced tough competition from other rising stars in his era like Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni. His ODI career lasted for 38 ODIs where he scored 736 runs, with the highest score of 95 runs. Patel could never make the cut to the ODI World Cup team again.