Playing for the country at the World Cup is the dream for any athlete. Speaking about cricketers, every player who starts his international career wishes to be a part of the nation’s World Cup squad one day. However, not all cricketers are lucky enough to receive a place in the World Cup squad.
Some players even made it to that final 15-man squad but warmed the benches for the full tournament. Meanwhile, there have also been instances where the players who were picked in the squad got injured and subsequently missed the mega event. Here’s a list of three such unlucky Indian players from the last 15 years.
1. Ishant Sharma missed 2015 World Cup
Veteran Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma played an integral role in the Indian cricket team’s Champions Trophy 2013 triumph. He picked up crucial wickets in the final against the England cricket team and set up the Men in Blue’s championship win.
Sharma was named in the 15-man squad for the mega event in Australia two years later, but he was ruled out of the competition owing to a knee injury. Mohit Sharma replaced him.
2. Praveen Kumar missed 2011 World Cup
Former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar once owned the batters with his swing bowling. He was an important part of India’s white-ball squad, but he missed the 2011 WC because of injuries despite being named in the original squad. Sreesanth replaced him in the 2011 WC. Kumar missed the opportunity of becoming a world champion because of his injury.
3. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag won 2007 T20 WC and 2011 WC with Indian squad, but he missed the 2009 and 2010 editions of T20 WC owing to injuries despite earning a place in the squad. Dinesh Karthik replaced him in 2009, while Murali Vijay was Sehwag’s replacement in 2010.
