8 Indian cricketers who were part of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 but won't feature in 2023

India have gone through a big transition period after ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England.

Several teams, including team India, have gone through a transition period in this decade. Apart from Australia, and England others have seen a massive change in their core squad and strength after the end of World Cup 2019. Team India also went through a massive change in their pace bowling attack as well as in the batting line-up. Shikhar Dhawan is nowhere in the selectors' plans, and it looks almost certain that he has played his last international game for team India. India’s leading wicket-keeper MS Dhoni, also had announced his retirement in August 2020. 

Middle-order batters like Kedar Jadhav and Dinesh Karthik are also out of contention for World Cup place. When we see the current Indian core, most of the players have experience of only one World Cup apart from Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. The hosts will be opening their campaign against Australia at Chepauk in Chennai on October 8. Let’s have a look at players who were part of India’s campaign in World Cup 2019 and will be missing out on World Cup 2023 hosted by India.

1. MS Dhoni 

World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand became MS Dhoni's last game for India. The famous Martin Guptill throw and MS Dhoni’s run-out are etched as a painful memory among cricketing fans. MS Dhoni made himself unavailable from selection, and later, after a year, he announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020.

2. Dinesh Karthik

India’s stand-in wicket-keeper in World Cup 2019, failed to find a place in ODI playing XI. Just like MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik also played his last one-day game in World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand. Karthik did make his comeback in T20I side but failed to make his comeback in the 50-over format. Karthik is not in contention for World Cup 2023 as well. 

3. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant suffered a massive accident in December last year and has been ruled out of action since then. Pant played four games in World Cup 2019 and scored 116 runs. He was seen as a crucial player for India in the upcoming World Cup 2023, but unfortunately, he will be missing out on another big event this year. Pant may make a comeback in February 2024 against England.

4. Mayank Agarwal

Vijay Shankar was ruled out in middle of World Cup 2019 due to an injury, and Mayank Agarwal was brought in as Shankar's replacement in mid-tournament. Agarwal didn’t get an opportunity to make his ODI debut and stayed there as a reserve player. Mayank has played only five ODI games in his career so far but is not in contention for a World Cup spot in 2023.

5. Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan smashed a century against Australia in the 2019 edition and also injured his finger. Dhawan was then ruled out of the tournament and had to fly back to India. The selectors have given a clear signal to Shikhar Dhawan, as he was ignored for the recently concluded West Indies tour and also as the Ireland tour. It looks certain that India will get a new opener for the 2023 World Cup.

6. Kedar Jadhav

India’s batting unit has found several young options to overlook players who are above 35 in the age group. With players like Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan as options for the middle-order and finisher roles, it looks highly unlikely that Kedar Jadhav will be able to make his comeback in the squad.

7. Vijay Shankar

In 2019, everyone was surprised to see Vijay Shankar in the Indian World Cup squad. Shankar came in as a replacement for Ambati Rayudu, who was seen as India’s number four batter in the middle order. MSK Prasad called Shankar a three-dimensional player to justify his selection, but he couldn’t perform on the big stage and failed to get the opportunity again for team India.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Just like Shikhar Dhawan, India’s new-ball bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also failed to bring himself into contention for a World Cup place. He hasn’t had the opportunity to play an ODI since India’s tour of South Africa in January 2022. With so many options in the pace bowling attack, it looks like Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be sidelined for the World Cup 2023 team as well.