6 Indian cricketers who were lucky to get selected in World Cup squads (1999-2015)
There are always some surprises when an Indian team for the World Cup is selected. Some players get into the team despite having very little international exposure. These cricketers are inexperienced and often fail to deliver at the highest level.
Here is a list of players who have made the Indian World Cup squad over the years and have made fans raise their eyebrows:
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this article are that of the writer and not of the website as a whole.
1. Amay Khurasiya (1999)
Amay Khurasiya was selected as part of India’s World Cup squad in 1999 after he scored a quick half-century in his debut match against Sri Lanka in the Pepsi Cup in 1999. Despite finding himself in the team, he didn’t get a chance to play in any game in the tournament.
His ability to play briskly was the main reason he was picked. Bowlers picked his tendency to shuffle a lot in the crease, and it ended his international career in 2001. He ended up playing only 11 ODIs for India.
2. Sadagoppan Ramesh (1999)
Sadagoppan Ramesh produced some fantastic performances for India A which attracted the attention of the selectors. He opened for India in almost all the matches of the World Cup in 1999.
He played some good knocks like the 55 against Zimbabwe and 44 against Kenya. He averaged around 50 in his first 12 Tests, but couldn't keep up his performances and lost his place in the Indian squad soon.
3. Sanjay Bangar (2003)
Sanjay Bangar, known for his wonderful performances as an all-rounder in first-class cricket, debuted in Tests in 2001 and ODIs in 2002. Though he was new to international cricket, he made it to the World Cup squad being an all-rounder.
He didn’t get a chance to make the final 11 in any matches as Dinesh Mongia was preferred as the 7th batsman who could also bowl.
4. Parthiv Patel (2003)
Baby-faced Parthiv Patel got a place in the Indian Test team as they were struggling to find a wicketkeeper-batsman who performed consistently. He played his first ODI against New Zealand just a month before the World Cup in 2003.
At the tournament, he was kept on the bench as Rahul Dravid kept in all the matches. Due to his inconsistent performances and the uprising of MS Dhoni, Patel couldn't find a permanent place in the Indian team in any format.
5. Piyush Chawala (2011)
Piyush Chawla was touted as the next big spinner in Indian cricket as Anil Kumble was nearing the end of his career. With the googly as his primary weapon, Chawla found a place in the national side at the ripe young age of 18 in 2006.
He couldn't exploit his talent in international cricket. Many raised eyebrows over his selection for the World Cup squad in 2011 ahead of the likes of Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra. He played only one match in the tournament.
6. Stuart Binny (2015)
14 places in the Indian squad for the 2015 World Cup were predictable. For the 15th place, various names were discussed by the media which included Yuvraj Singh, Varun Aaron, Robin Uthappa and Stuart Binny.
Binny got the nod because he is an all-rounder who can bowl medium pace, something that can prove to be useful in conditions in Australia and New Zealand.