3 explosive players who are missing in Asia XI squad

Every cricket fan, at some point in time, does compile a list of players without considering their nationality and wishes for them to play together someday. And, this dream of every cricket fanatic would be coming true soon. Some of best-known names in world cricket will be getting together in Bangladesh to play a two-match series between World XI and Asia XI, in March next month.

The two highly-anticipated matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka on March 18 and 21. But, when the Asia XI team was announced on Tuesday, the exclusion of certain individuals added a little bit of sorrow to the extreme delight of the fans.

These names were such that they would have been on any given list that was drafted prior to the announcement. But, there were three such names, whose exclusion came as a surprise to many, given the fact that how big entertainers they are.

Here’s a look at those three names:

1. Mahmudullah

The big hitter from Bangladesh, who has the ability to hit the ball not only over the ropes but way back into the stands, Mahmudullah’s name was one of the most-awaited ones, especially in the Bangladeshi cricket circles. A hero of many crucial wins for them was not included in the list of players who will be playing for Asia XI.

One of the best performing batsmen for Bangladesh in the 2015 and the 2019 edition of the Cricket World Cup, he has been there standing in the middle-order to face any bowling attack in the world and shatter their confidence into pieces by his power hitting. And, seeing him play along with and against some of the best names in the business would have been a dream come true for many.

But unfortunately, he has been left out and one of the reasons for that is– Bangladesh Cricket Board might want to preserve his energy before the multi-nation tournament. His inclusion would have provided an extra edge to the run feast for the fans, who would be flocking in big numbers to the stadium to see their favourite players from across the continent play in the same team.

2. Rohit Sharma

Another name that can get thousands of people to the stadium, Rohit Sharma, who is known for hitting sixes with ease and convert his three-figure scores into ‘daddy hundreds’, has been surprisingly left out of the squad that was announced on Tuesday.

Rohit, in the fifth T20I match against New Zealand earlier this month, suffered a calf injury after which he hasn’t been playing for the Indian team.  And, if he would have been included in the line-up for the matches, the crowds coming to the stadiums and the fans at home would have definitely would have gotten a good dose of entertainment.

Team India also need him to be perfectly fit before the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. And, this series could have proven to be a great time for him to get some good quality matches to practice prior to the start of the tournament. But now, he will have to get back his form in the IPL which could be a tough task for him, given the travelling that has to be done during the tournament.

3. MS Dhoni

One of the most discussed names in Indian cricketing circles, MS Dhoni was not included in the team that was announced to play against World XI in March. Dhoni has not played a single international match after India’s loss in the semi-finals of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. In that match, he had tried his best but wasn’t able to get the team through to the finals. But, in spite of the fact that he hasn’t been around, everyone wanted him to be a part of these matches.

Dhoni’s name was floating around the internet and various other media to be one of the few confirmed ones for this particular match. But when the Asia XI team was announced, it was nowhere to be seen. The fans who have been waiting to see him in action were visibly disappointed on his exclusion from the squad.

Also, if he would have played these matches, it would have given him some amount of match practice. And, it could have been a gateway to his international return. But, given the fact that a player like him– who can hit the ball over the ropes and enthral the fans– the enthusiasts will have to wait for the Indian Premier League to begin to see him back in action.