The T20 World Cup 2021 will begin next month in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The International Cricket Council has allowed all 16 countries to carry only 15 players with them in the main squad. The international cricket governing body has given the freedom to the countries to carry as many reserves as they want.
Almost all the teams have announced their squads for the mega event. While many big names are set to be a part of the tournament, here are the six active cricketers who were surprisingly ignored for T20 World Cup 2021:
1. Shikhar Dhawan will miss T20 World Cup 2021
Star Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup team was very shocking. Dhawan has a fantastic record in ICC tournaments. He is the top run-scorer in IPL 2021 right now.
Also, Dhawan captained the Indian T20I team earlier this year against the Sri Lankan cricket team. Thus, Dhawan’s absence raised many eyebrows.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal
Another shocking exclusion from the Indian T20 World Cup 2021 squad was of Yuzvendra Chahal. The right-arm leg-spinner was India’s number one pick in the spinners’ section for T20Is.
However, the team management ignored him for the upcoming T20 WC. Instead of Chahal, Mumbai Indians star Rahul Chahar will bowl leg-spin for India now.
3. Faf du Plessis
Former South African captain Faf du Plessis is one of the most experienced active cricketers. He has been playing in leagues across the world.
Although his performances have been good, du Plessis did not receive a place in the South African squad. His absence will hurt the team’s batting strength.
4. Imran Tahir will miss T20 World Cup 2021
Another veteran South African cricketer to be a part of this list is Imran Tahir. The right-arm leg-spinner is one of the best T20 players in the world right now.
Tahir could have formed a great combination with Tabraiz Shamsi. However, the team management did not name him in the South African squad.
5. Chris Morris
Chris Morris made history last year when the Rajasthan Royals broke the bank and signed him for INR 16.25 crore at IPL Auction 2021. That value itself shows the kind of player that Chris Morris is.
Morris can turn the game upside down with his big-hitting skills. Also, he can pick up some crucial wickets for the team with his right-arm pace. Excluding Morris could be one of the biggest mistakes made by South Africa.
6. Shoaib Malik will miss T20 World Cup 2021
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik was expected to be named in the Pakistani squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He has played a lot of T20 cricket. Also, he has much experience of playing in the conditions of the United Arab Emirates.
Shoaib is an all-rounder who can score vital runs in the middle-order and chip in with some wickets by bowling right-arm off-spin. His presence could have benefited the Pakistan cricket team in ICC T20 WC 2021 a lot.
