4 Players who were unlucky to be missing from T20I series vs Australia and Windies

Amidst the ongoing ODI series between India and Windies, BCCI announced the squad for the T20I series against Windies and Australia. With India giving rest to Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya being unavailable due to injury many new names in the squad were announced including the likes of Shahbaz Nadeem, Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya but still there are some players who would be considering themselves unlucky to have missed out on a spot in the T20I team.

India’s squad (against Windies): Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar, KL Rahul, DK, Manish, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem

India’s squad (against Australia): Virat Kohli (C), Rohit (VC), Shikhar, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish, DK, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed.

The most surprising thing about the squads announced was the exclusion of MS Dhoni from both of them. It might raise a few questions about the position of MS Dhoni in the Indian T20 team.

The T20 series begins from 4th November and the series down under begins from 21st November. Here are five players who could have been included in the side:

---

#4 Prithvi Shaw

This guy has already proved to everyone what he is capable of. With his recent exploits in white against the Windies, the young prodigy has already shown that he has it in him what it takes to succeed at this level.

The Indian captain, Virat Kohli, himself said that he feels Shaw is a special talent and that is why he has been fast-tracked into this Indian team. The young man knows how to play under pressure and has also performed exceptionally well for his IPL team Delhi Daredevils. His performances for his home team Mumbai in the recent domestic tournament which help them clinch the title can also not be ignored.

Considering his aggressive approach to batting and ability to strike it big, Prithvi Shaw could have been considered for the T20 format. He might consider himself a bit unlucky to have missed out. Although he might get many more chances in the future.

#3 Ishan Kishan

The Jharkhand batsman and one of the upcoming youngsters, Ishan Kishan, could be considered a little unlucky for not being picked in the 16 man squad announced. The gutsy left-hander played some very good knocks in the domestic matches including a firing knock of 69 runs off just 60 balls in the Deodhar trophy.

Kishan also played some really good knocks for his IPL side Mumbai Indians and was leading the way for them in the whole tournament. With the ability to play spin and pace equally well and able to bat at any position Ishan could have made a very good case for himself in this Indian squad

This young man has the ability to strike big and can also keep the wickets, which is an added bonus. With all the performances at the domestic level, he could have been expecting a call for the national team but was unlucky to miss out on the opportunity.

#2 Siddarth Kaul

Siddarth Kaul, the young Punjab pacer, would consider himself quite unlucky for not being picked in the T20 squad to face Windies and against Australia also.

He is a bowler who bowls with good pace and has the ability to surprise the batsmen. His performances in IPL have been very good and whatever little chances he has got while playing for India, the speedster has put his hand up.

Bowling for SRH, Siddarth showed that he has a very good temperament to perform under pressure. With Khaleel Ahmed being picked as the third seamer and Bhuvi and Bumrah already being there, Kaul was not able to make the cut to the squad.

With a rare ability to bowl at death, he could very well have been considered for the third seamer’s role in this side but it was not to be. He would surely consider himself unlucky on missing out.

#1 Mohammad Siraj

The promising, young fast bowler who has the ability to bowl above 140kph, Mohammad Siraj has shown everyone what he is capable off in the IPL as well as in other domestic tournaments. He impressed everyone with his performance against the Australia A side by taking 8 wickets.

The young pacer has also impressed everyone with his abilities and his temperament. He has also been in fine form in the ongoing Deodhar trophy and has bowled his heart out whenever his team required. Rahul Dravid himself praised Siraj and said that he will surely be an asset to the Indian team.

With his ability to bowl at death and execute very good Yorkers, the young, hardworking man could have also been considered as an option for the 3rd seamer’s place. With all the talent in the Indian pace bowling, Siraj definitely stands tall among them and one would definitely consider him unlucky to miss out.