The 2022 T20 World Cup is happening right now. A few surprises have already happened with respect to the team selections. On that note, in this article, we take a look at five popular players who may not get a game in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
At the moment, teams value match-ups and current form more than reputation. Hence, a few top players have found themselves outside the playing XI till now. It is unlikely that they would get a spot in the team in the remaining games, as well. We take a look at five such names in the below headings.
1) Steve Smith (Australia)
Steve Smith is one of the players who may not get a game in the 2022 T20 World Cup. With the arrival of Tim David, Australia has had to sacrifice Steve Smith from the XI. Tim David massively strengthens the lower middle order and Steve Smith was anyways a misfit in the XI with Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell playing at No.3 and No.4 respectively. With Stoinis and Maxwell both doing well against Sri Lanka, Smith’s chances have been further reduced.
2) Rishabh Pant (India)
Rishabh Pant is a big game player in Tests but has somehow not struck that form in white-ball cricket. India’s middle-order is stacked and with Dinesh Karthik donning the role of a finisher, it is hard for Pant to find a place in the XI. KL Rahul is the vice-captain of the squad. He cannot be dropped and hence, Pant’s chances of playing as an opener are also minimal.
3) Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
Martin Guptill is also one of the players who may not get a game in the 2022 T20 World Cup. New Zealand took the bold call of leaving out Martin Guptill in place of Finn Allen for the first game against Australia. It paid rich dividends as Allen was able to take New Zealand off to a flying start. This eventually helped them win the game. With the kind of form that Devon Conway and Finn Allen are in, it is hard to expect Guptill to get a game.
4) Yuzvendra Chahal (India)
Chahal was seen as the lead spinner for India ahead of the World Cup. However, with the ruling out of Jasprit Bumrah, India has had to add depth to the batting. Moreover, Chahal’s form is inconsistent and on the other hand, Ashwin is doing well with his economy and wicket-taking ability. India’s combination with Ashwin looks balanced and hence, Chahal may not get a game.
5) Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa)
South Africa is using Keshav Maharaj as the lead spinner. The left-arm spinner is actually doing well. Keshav is also the vice-captain of the squad. If required, Aiden Markram can also give a few overs of spin. The Proteas need an extra pacer in the absence of a genuine all-rounder. Therefore, the left-arm leggie has been left out. Hence, Shamsi is also a part of this list of players who may not get a game in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
