T20 World Cup 2021: 10 surprising exclusions across teams

Well, the 7th edition of the ICC World T20 is now just around a month away and many of the top-class teams have announced their final squads. Especially the heavyweight sides have taken some surprising calls which in many ways has flabbergasted numerous fans.

Perhaps a few of the bunch of selectors have also boldly chosen youth and current form over experience despite considering how combative the tournament will be. Overall, the final selection of some squads has also sparked some controversies inside few cricketing boards, hence in this list, let’s check out the

Surprising omissions from T20 World Cup 2021

1. Yuzvendra Chahal

There’s no doubt that Yuzi Chahal’s omission is as big as the comeback of veteran Ravi Ashwin or the arrival of MS Dhoni as a mentor. For the past four years, the leg-spinner has been team India’s chief spinner but unfortunately, he has been let go for the mega event. Despite considering his experience and reputation, Rahul Chahar’s valiant package has been chosen over him to helm the spin bowling duties in the T20 World Cup.

Now whether the selection has been unfair or not, there’s no denying that Yuzi has been team India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, who also enjoys the prominence of scalping crucial wickets during big stages. Getting rid of explosive batters like Glenn Maxwell has often been his forte irrespective of the conditions. In fact, many cricket pundits have also considered him the world’s second-best leggie after Adil Rashid but sadly Yuzi will now have to further fight back for his much-deserved spot.

Overall, while the other selected spinners can become some exciting options to explore, surely Yuzi’s valorous presence would have made the bowling attack much handier especially during the crunch stages.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

Despite reinventing himself in the shortest format, Shikhar Dhawan has eventually been unable to bag the ticket for the mega event. From 2018 onwards, the southpaw’s batting had received a massive elevation but sadly it won’t be now seen in the tournament. On a true note, it looks that Dhawan has apparently fallen short against Ishan Kishan especially because of the versatility that the wicket-keeper batsman offers.

Even in the travelling reserves, the selectors have meticulously picked Shreyas Iyer merely because of the cricketer being able to adjust himself anywhere in the top 5. Also, the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka does look to have failed to dwell on Dhawan’s case regardless of his rich form being exhibited.

Overall, as the opener is also the current orange cap holder of the IPL, very rarely one might then see a cricketer getting dropped despite topping the charts. All in all, his cease from the contingent also signals that the veteran batsman will have to go into the overdrive to further continue his white-ball affairs for India.

3. Shoaib Malik

Well, there’s no denying that Shoaib Malik has been on a cease deal for over a year and was not much expected to get picked for the T20 World Cup squad. The veteran all-rounder had last played his T20I game in September 2020 and had expressed his aspirations to be part of the upcoming mega event. However, with Pakistan often having a penchant for recalling its star players back for the pinnacle events, it considerably gave a glimmer of hope that Malik might make a comeback.

However, as the board and the selectors have vigorously shown some faith in the new upcoming faces, possibly Shoaib Malik might have now played his last game for Pakistan. His realm of experience in the shortest format could have been a boon on tricky UAE pitches but sadly it has been eluded. Not to forget, the all-rounder is also one of the best exponents of playing the horizontal bat strokes which in many ways will be a dire requirement while batting on spin-friendly pitches.

Overall, the former Pakistani skipper could have become a multi-utility player who could have batted anywhere but unfortunately, fans have already viewed him last in international cricket.

4. Sarfaraz Ahmed

Well, there’s no doubt that Mohammad Rizwan’s brimming presence has primarily latched many doors for Sarfaraz Ahmed in recent times. The wicket-keeper batsman is barely now considered as a front-line player and perhaps majorly either warms the benches or serves drinks. In fact, with regards to his appearances in T20Is, the former skipper had last played a match against Zimbabwe in April 2021.

Now although the cricketer had become a subservient entity in the dressing room, yet he was largely seen as a capable backup. Even in the recently concluded PSL, Sarfaraz had summoned some vital runs more importantly consistently reminding the team management about his capabilities and competence. Yet however, it was very unfortunate that a young Azam Khan was able to latch his spot by replacing Sarfaraz based on mere three T20Is.

No doubt Pakistan does need some explosive batters in the middle-order but Sarfaraz Ahmed could have been a strong backup for anyone in the batting department. Overall, even his batting game thus seems to be very adaptive especially when the spinners come to the fore.

5. Faf du Plessis

In February 2021, Faf Du Plessis had specifically taken retirement from red-ball cricket to play the two upcoming ICC events. The cricketer had also vigorously established himself as a T20 freelancer to further elevate his T20 batting skills. However, sadly despite being in a top-notch form, the SA selectors have rejected the veteran for the T20 World Cup.

Now although SA’s batting order in T20Is looks to be primarily settled, someone like Du Plessis could have easily further enhanced the solidity of the group. He could have easily dwelled himself at the number 3 position and maybe then the likes of Miller and Rassie van der Dussen would have played their natural game.

Nowadays with an additional elevation to his strike rate, the former SA skipper could have been a very valuable asset in totality. However, by eventually getting swayed maybe we have already viewed the vintage days of Du Plessis in the Proteas jersey.

6. Imran Tahir

Well, Imran Tahir’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad in many ways is a surprising yet controversial decision. Especially considering that the 42-year old leg-spinner was assured by the CSA director Graeme Smith makes it further sensitive. Overall, as per the reports coming in, Tahir was eager to be part of the mega event but unfortunately has been axed despite being promised.

In fact, while the selectors have immensely shown faith in the spin services of Shamzi and Maharaj, Tahir’s recent bowling form certainly demands his presence. The veteran leg-spinner has been actively playing some tough T20 cricket and perhaps is well enlightened about the UAE conditions.

In a true sense, he’s also a genuine wicket-taking bowler who has turned many games with his valorous bowling. All in all, at least by the match condition standards, Imran Tahir would have been an electrifying add to SA’s overall squad.

7. Colin Munro

Much before the pandemic, Colin Munro was an extensive part of the NZ’s T20I plans in the shortest format. The southpaw was also one of the established members of the team and perhaps upholds the best strike rate (156.44) amongst all NZ batters who have played a minimum of 50 T20Is. However, sadly after playing his last T20I game against India in February 2020, Munro has so far been snagged from the T20I proceedings.

Yet with the 34-year old heartily playing the Global T20 Leagues did anticipate his selection for the 2021 World T20 squad. In the current times, the opening batter was amongst the runs in the “The Hundred Men’s competition” and at present is averaging around 30 in the CPL. However, the new faces like the emergence of Finn Allen others have created immense competition for a single opening slot that eventually has never allowed Munro to come into the selection fold.

Overall, maybe when NZ cricket had discarded the veteran Ross Taylor from the T20Is, it was an indication that the board will now vigorously cast the upcoming young guns. Or maybe perhaps even Munro now looks to have already played his last game for Kiwis.

8. Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman had made his T20I debut in 2017 and so far was an established batter in the playing XI. Until this year, the left-hander had primarily batted in the top-order and did enjoy a fair share of success. However, ever since the likes of Rizwan and Babar have decided to step up, the southpaw was made a floater in the middle-order and perhaps became more of a juggler. While the change in the batting position of the above two had leaped rewards, eventually for Fakhar it has now only resulted in him as a travelling reserve.

In fact with the infusion of some young players, Fakhar now further seems to have taken a fall in the pecking order. Also, since his floating experiment didn’t enjoy a grand success, the selectors have decided to brim the overall batting department with some proper middle-order batting explosives.

Overall, it can be said that in the process of exploration, the 31-year old has been unfortunate to lose all of his earned establishment in T20Is.

9. Angelo Mathews

The Sri Lankan board has also finally announced its squad for World T20 which surprisingly has left Angelo Mathews. Although the all-rounder had made his last international appearance in May 2021, at least for the mega event he should have been considered. Perhaps a wrangle with the Sri Lankan board had also made him almost consider retirement, but eventually, a cease now might propel the cricketer to finally hang his boots.

Now with regards to Mathews’s overall gameplay, he could have easily kept the middle-order batting intact since it has been a bit gloomy for Sri Lanka. Perhaps in the UAE conditions, even his nippy bowling could have been a boon, especially in the power play stages.

Overall, the 34-year old also could have been a massive aid for the skipper Shanaka since Sri Lanka has to go on long-distance travel in the mega event. However, even his comprehensive rejection from the 19-member squad largely indicates that the veteran might have finally played his last international game.

10. Rubel Hossain

Well, in the Bangladeshi camp, Rubel Hossain has always been a blazing pacer who loves taking on against team and any player. The pacer has also been Bangladesh’s sixth-highest wicket-tacker in T20Is but when it comes to the upcoming mega event he has been made to feel dejected. Although Rubel will travel to the UAE as a reserve he certainly would have become a requirement if the pitches are flat.

Even in terms of Bangladesh’s overall squad selection, the selectors have picked oodles of left-arm bowlers that look like a superfluity. Perhaps even when it comes to pacer Taskin Ahmed’s selection, it surely doesn’t look convincing over the experience of Rubel Hossain.

Overall, maybe the side could have discarded an extra spinner but unfortunately for Rubel, he wouldn’t be blazing any more fire in the T20 World Cup unless an opening from the main squad arrives.