MS Dhoni is an ambassador when it comes to T20 cricket. He is the first skipper to win the T20 World Cup. Having been part of all the previous editions of the T20 World Cup, Dhoni will miss the upcoming one. He retired from international cricket last year. However, there are a few players who made their international debut before Dhoni but will play at the upcoming T20 World Cup. We take a look at such players in this article.
Dhoni made his international debut in December 2003 in an ODI fixture. Before that, quite a few players had played their first game for their countries. They will probably play their final T20 World Cup in 2021. The event will be hosted in UAE and Oman from October 17th.
1) Chris Gayle – A popular player who made international debut before Dhoni
International Debut – September 1999 (ODI)
Chris Gayle is one of the popular players who made their international debut before Dhoni. He will probably be playing his final T20 World Cup although he has mentioned in the past that he could play until 45. However, his form is diminishing and the upcoming event could be his last sojourn.
2) Mohammad Hafeez
International Debut – April 2003 (ODI)
Mohammad Hafeez has occupied an important position in the Pakistan T20 setup. He has scored a lot of runs in recent years and will form the core of the middle-order for his nation. For him, as well, the upcoming event could mark the end of his international career.
3) Shoaib Malik – Veteran batsman who made international debut before Dhoni
International Debut – October 1999 (ODI)
Shoaib Malik was not part of the initial T20 World Cup squad for Pakistan. However, recently, Sohaib Maqsood got injured, and hence, Malik was announced as his retirement. Malik has done well in the T20 leagues, and his experience will be of use to Pakistan.
4) Dwayne Bravo
International Debut – April 2004 (ODI)
Dwayne Bravo is one of the popular players who made their international debut before Dhoni but will play at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Although he did not feature for his nation for a few years in the middle, he has now returned back to the scheme. At the upcoming event, Bravo will play a crucial role for his nation. He could be tasked with bowling at the death apart from adding solidity to the lower middle-order.
5) Ravi Rampaul
International Debut – November 2003 (ODI)
Ravi Rampaul has been out of the West Indies for a while. However, he performed well in the recent T20 leagues, especially in CPL, which earned him a spot in the T20 World Cup. Rampaul could as well be a part of the playing XI for West Indies. His experience added with the variations that he has developed in recent years will help him do well for his country.
6) Kyle Coetzer
International Debut – September 2003 (ODI)
Having played over 60 ODIs and 50+ T20Is for Scotland, Kyle Coetzer is an experienced candidate in his country’s squad. Interestingly, even he made his debut before MS Dhoni. He has captained the country in the past and has also played in the World Cup.
