10 players we would love to see in the 2016 T20 World Cup

Quite a lot of teams have already started planning earnestly for the ICC World T20 next year. From deciding their ideal bowling combinations to testing out the batting order in the T20 matches scheduled leading up to the World Cup, preparations seem to be in the full swing.But at the same time, every cricket fan has a personal list of players that he adores and follows. There are quite a lot of brilliant and explosive players we would love to see who have not yet retired but find themselves out of favour for a prolonged period now for varied reasons.Let us have a look at some of those players who we hope can make a comeback in the T20 world cup next year and hopefully light up the tournament.

#1 Kevin Pietersen

England’s only ICC trophy came when KP was in top gear

This might seem to be a surprise inclusion and many would argue that Pietersen's probability of making it back to the squad given his equation with Andrew Strauss is an absolute zilch. But somewhere down the line, the ECB has to choose professionalism over personal dispute if it wants England to do well in the world cup.

England's limited over squad does look promising with plenty of new faces doing well but KP's inclusion will add the much-needed experience. He has done exceedingly well in the T20 leagues around the world and his consistency should be hard to ignore. He will be dying to impress everyone if he gets a call-back to the squad.

#2 Virender Sehwag

It can be a perfect farewell for him

Ever since Sehwag went out of the national scheme of things, India have struggled to find such an explosive opener who could set the stage ablaze. Viru in full flow was an absolute delight to watch who could take any bowler to the cleaners on his given day.

He has been in a rather indifferent form off late and struggled to score big even in the IPL. But fans around the world would love to see him don the Indian colours once again. And what better opportunity than the T20 World Cup next year?

A player like him is never out of form and remains true to his 'I play the ball, not the bowler' philosophy. This might just be his tournament if he gets selected in the squad

#3 Saeed Ajmal

We would love to see him bowl again

One of the finest spinners of the modern game, Saeed Ajmal was immensely unlucky to have been hit with a ban just when he was in top form. Unable to correct his action soon enough, he made himself unable for selection in the 2015 World Cup and has not been considered for selection ever since.

But on turning sub-continental pitches, it will be a huge blunder to him out. He has the right amount of guile and artistry to outfox any batsman and pick wickets at crucial junctures. He is also very tough to score against and can squeeze the opposition in the middle overs. He will be a vital cog in the wheel of the Pakistani attack if he is considered for selection.

#4 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvi had a World Cup to forget in 2014

The inclusion of Yuvraj Singh in the list is bound to make some heads turn and raise some eyebrows. His 21-ball 11 in the 2014 T20 World Cup final still remains fresh in our minds. It is said 'The evil that men do lives after them' for how can we forget his six sixes in an over of Stuart Broad that has now become part of modern cricketing folklore?

His inclusion might seem to be a gamble to many. But India has had problems of finding a proper number seven and Yuvraj's ability to take wickets at crucial junctures might well come in handy. If it's T20 cricket, he always deserves a chance because of his big-hitting abilities. Who knows, he might just turn back the clock if given a chance once again!

#5 Ajantha Mendis

Can Ajantha bamboozle the world again?

When Mendis first burst onto the scene, he was touted to be the 'mystery bowler' who will be the ideal replacement for Muralitharan for years to come. On his day, he was unplayable as batsmen had no idea about how to read him. But he has failed to live up to his name and a series of unimpressive performances have led to him being axed from the side.

But a player like him deserves to be in the squad because of the immense skill and guile he possesses. Even when he does not get wickets, he is tough to score against and batsmen often adopt a conservative approach against him. Malinga and Mendis bowling at the death might just be a dream combination for Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup next year.

#6 Harbhajan Singh

Bhajji’s performances for MI have been convincing

Harbhajan Singh is certainly back in the national scheme of things now but it is tough to say whether he will be selected for the T20 World Cup next year. Bhajji has not featured in T20s for the national side for some time now and he will be making a comeback of sorts if he gets called up for the T20 World Cup.

His performances after his return to the national side have not been remarkable by any stretch of imagination. But he has been a consistent and reliable performer for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. His inclusion will bring the much-sought after discipline and experience in the Indian bowling attack and it will be interesting to see if he can squeeze the opposition if he gets to bowl in tandem with Ashwin.

#7 Albie Morkel

Albie is a fan favourite

A few years back, Albie Morkel was a more than decent all-rounder who was known for his big-hitting prowess. But a dip in form has seen him being axed from the national side -- he last put on the South African shirt in the World T20 in Bangladesh in 2014.

But he is targeting the 2016 World T20 as he looks to make a comeback. In an interview to ESPNcricinfo, Morkel said, " "Definitely, that's [the T20 World Cup] on my radar if I can perform really strongly back home this summer. Then I know I will have a chance, and I'll really like to play in another T20 World Cup."

A veteran who has played 49 T20s for his national side and many more for the T20 leagues around the world, Morkel will bring his wealth of experience to the side if he is included in the T20 squad. He can be a more than decent bowler in the middle overs and in him the Proteas will have a proven finisher.

#8 Ashish Nehra

Why not after the kind of season he had in the IPL

T20 is still considered to be unsuitable for the elder statesmen of the game and for Ashish Nehra, a man who has fallen out of favour for some time now, the road to comeback will definitely not be easy. But if performances are the sole criteria for selection, hd definitely deserves a place in the squad.

He has had a brilliant IPL where he bagged a whopping 22 wickets for his franchise. Nehra looked fit, ran in well and hit the deck hard. He will be dying to justify his inclusion if he gets selected and might still have quite a few surprises up his sleeve. The presence of a left-arm seamer will also lend the Indian attack the much-needed variety.

#9 Praveen Kumar

Imagine Praveen and Bhuvi bowling together

Praveen Kumar led India's bowling attack for a considerable amount of time when he was the pick of the Indian bowlers. A series of injuries however, has hampered his cause immensely and he has not been able to make a convincing comeback. Yet he deserves his place in the squad because of his tremendous accuracy in terms of line and length.

A canny bowler, Praveen Kumar can be relied upon to keep the run rate in check as his discipline makes it hard to score off him. David Warner used and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in tandem towards the end of the innings for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in this IPL where he executed the yorkers perfectly. He can be the solution to India's death-bowling woes.

#10 Chris Morris

Morris had a very good IPL

Chris Morris was the proverbial late bloomer but once he made his debut, he took South African cricket by storm. A hard-hitting all-rounder who is more than a handful with the new ball, Morris first broke into the national team after a brilliant domestic season in 2011-12.

He had a few decent outings for the national side but persistent injuries forced him out of the squad and he has been out of reckoning for some time now. But he continues to perform well for the T20 leagues around the world and has had a more than decent IPL this year. Age is on his side and we certainly hope that he can make a comeback to the national team.