3 unfairly discarded players that India need to bring back in T20I cricket

Team India failed to seal the T20I series in Australia after rain ruined a brilliant bowling effort in the second T20I at Melbourne. The series was so close yet so far and the men in blue would be gutted to let a golden opportunity to sustain their winning streak against Australia in T20Is slip.

There were some selection blunders while picking the squad as some players who have performed outstandingly well in the IPL and in the ODI cricket for India were overlooked. For quite a long time, these players have been kept out of the T20I setup even when their performances are speaking for themselves.

These players would hope that they get drafted into the Indian team and stay in the scheme of things for the 2020 T20 World Cup to be played in Australia. Here is a look at 3 of such players which team India needs to bring back in the T20 setup.

#3 Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav

The CSK batsman has been a regular in India's ODI team since 2017. Although Kedar missed the 2018 IPL due to injury, his ODI performances and attributes make him a strong contender for making it to India's T20I squad.

Jadhav has played 9 T20Is scoring at a decent strike of 123 down the order. He was left out of the T20I squad last November against New Zealand and has not made a return since then. He last played a T20I for India against Australia at Guwahati in October 2017.

Kedar has got great situational awareness, ability to strike the ball big, and improvisation skills. Also, his part-time off-spin bowling comes in handy to break partnerships. All in all, Kedar provides great value to the team and his exclusion from the T20I team certainly isn't justified.

#2 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

The Saurashtra all-rounder was out of the limited-overs squads for a while before his comeback in the Asia Cup in September 2018. Jadeja was fabulous with his bowling performances in the Asia Cup and in the series against the Windies which helped him push his case forward.

Unfortunately for him, India did not seem too keen on bringing him back in the shortest format of the game. The men in blue opted for Krunal Pandya instead. Jadeja has played 40 T20Is picking 31 wickets at an economy of 7.27.

The CSK all-rounder has been a seasoned campaigner with a lot of experience of playing in the IPL. India needs to bring back Jadeja in T20I cricket as he has done everything that could have been asked of him. He last played a T20I in July 2017 in the Caribbean.

#1 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

After having a sensational season for the Chennai Super Kings, the doors opened for Ambati Rayudu in the ODI cricket. However, the Hyderabad batsman is still waiting to get his long overdue opportunity in the shortest format.

Rayudu has played only 6 T20Is and hasn't got a fair chance to show his batting potential. Having cemented his place in ODI cricket at No.4, there is no reason why he cannot do the same in T20I cricket.

Patience is the key to success and Rayudu has shown plenty of it throughout his career. He got his maiden India cap after spending 4 good seasons in the IPL. Now, it is time to put an end to his wait for a return in the shortest format, for he deserves it all after his splendid performances. Rayudu's last T20I appearance came against Zimbabwe in June 2016.