Big day for discarded seniors as selectors meet to pick 30 World Cup probables

New Delhi: As national selectors meet on Thursday to pick India's 30-man World Cup probables list, several discarded cricketer's would be waiting with bated breath to see whether they make it through.

Players like Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag have been out of the team for quite some time now.

Yuvraj Singh - one of India's finest ODI batsman ever, last played an ODI in December 2013 against South Africa. Not to forget, for his stellar performances right throughout the series, the southpaw was adjudged Man of the Series in the 2011 World Cup won by India. But his form hasn't been the same ever since he made a comeback after winning a battle against cancer.

Gautam Gambhir - who played a crucial 97-run knock in the final of the 2011 World Cup against Sri Lanka, hasn't got many opportunities in limited-overs cricket considering the stupendous form of batsmen like Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. The left-hander was included in the squad after quite some time, in the Test series against England this year, where he couldn't make an impact with the bat. Having played his last ODI against vs England in January last year, even though the 33-year-old would be desperate to make a comeback, it is yet to be seen whether the selectors find him suitable enough for another World Cup.

Virender Sehwag – considered to be one of the most dashing batsman in world cricket, had on Tuesday expressed his desire to see his name in the probables list. Sehwag last played an ODI match for India against Pakistan on January 3, last year. Despite having a good season for Kings XI Punjab in 2014, the 36-year-old hasn't done much in domestic cricket to attract the attention of the national selectors.

Zaheer Khan was jointly the highest wicket taker in the 2011 World Cup with 21 wickets. It was Zaheer's form with the ball which played a major role in India's World Cup triumph. But he too has been out of international cricket for long as he last played an ODI on August 4, 2012. Even though the speedster was recalled into the squad for the Test series against South Africa last December, it is yet to be seen whether he can make a comeback in limited-overs cricket.   

Harbhajan Singh – The turbanator is also one of the senior cricketers who have been out of the action from the ODI team for years. Among all the senior cricketers, Bhajji is the one who has been out of the team for more than three years. Despite doing well in IPL, Champions League and domestic cricket, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel already doing well, it is yet to be seen whether the selectors will reward the veteran off-spinner.