A disappointing performance in the first two matches of the 2021 T20 World Cup against Pakistan and New Zealand respectively cost India their shot at the title as the blues were knocked out from the group stages itself. Virat Kohli and his men had made quite a comeback in the last three matches of the group stage but that was unfortunately not enough. The squad has now returned to India but the question remains – What was the big blunder that the Blues made that led to the ‘Favourites’ performing so poorly in the Quadrennial tournament?

According to many analysts, Team India missed many of their ‘Star players’ in the 2021 T20 World Cup who were not included in the squad by the Selectors and they had to pay its price in a cruel fashion. In this article, we will be talking about some players, who we think India missed the most at the World Cup.

Four Players that India missed in the 2021 T20 World Cup

1. Shikhar Dhawan –

Shikhar Dhawan is undoubtedly one of the most dependable Indian batters when it comes to ICC tournaments. The 35-year old has consistently been India’s best performer in the last few ICC tournaments. Thus, when he was not even considered for India’s T20 World Cup squad, the decision had baffled a number of fans and cricket enthusiasts.

The veteran batsman has also had a great season in IPL 2021 with his franchise Delhi Capitals and there was hence no particular reason to drop him. As was evident in the first two matches, India’s openers were struggling against top-class pacers and Shikhar Dhawan could be the cheat code to that problem.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal –

The Indian selectors’ decision to choose Rahul Chahar over a much more experienced Yuzvendra Chahal has been a proven blunder. Both Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar, who were given the tags of ‘Mystery spinners’ have failed miserably in the 2021 T20 World Cup and it is the epitome of the well-known statement, ‘Experience matters’. Chahal might have had a not-so-great run in the last two seasons of IPL with RCB but dropping him off completely from the National team was a bit uncalled for. After all, Yuzi’s stats with the National team are amazing and he has proven to be a clutch bowler in pressure situations. He could have done wonders in a high-pressure match like India vs Pakistan.

3. Ruturaj Gaikwad –

This might be an unpopular opinion but if Rahul Chahar is named in India’s T20 World Cup squad solely based on his performance in the IPL, it is questionable as to why Ruturaj Gaikwad did not make the cut. After all, the youngster was undoubtedly the best young talent the nation has ever seen in the last few years. He became the youngest player ever to win the Orange cap award in IPL 2021 and he was outstanding in the season before that as well. He might also have been the ‘differential’ for Team India.

4. Mohammad Siraj –

The RCB pacer has made a meteoric rise in his form ever since his debut with India’s test team and looks unstoppable at the International stages. Whether he should be similarly successful in the shorter format of the game as well, is a different topic altogether but the fact that he was not even included in the backup team, is downright disappointing.

Three of the four players have now been picked for the New Zealand T20 World Cup series. Let’s see if they can impress and get the job done this time. It could be a test for them for the upcoming tournaments, namely the IPL and the T20 World Cup 2022.