5 prolific domestic T20 performers not playing in the World T20

The World T20 is on the cards and every cricketing nation is ready to battle it out for the supremacy of the shortest format in India. Since its inception, T20 has managed to give some mouth-watering matches and, more importantly, been entertaining.Now that every nation has its separate T20 tournaments as well as leagues, every player in the domestic structure gets a chance to perform. The leagues are also offering opportunities for players from around the world to play which emerges as a great platform for young and budding cricketers. As all the teams have submitted their respective squads we look at the domestic T20 tournaments and leagues to find out which prolific performers missed out on the opportunity to represent their country in the World Cup. Here are five prolific performers who are not a part of their respective World T20 squad:

#5 Irfan Pathan (India)

Irfan Pathan hasn’t been able to make a comeback to the Indian team

The talented all-rounder from India is not included in the India’s World T20 squad despite his outstanding all-round performances in the domestic T20 tournament. Irfan captained Baroda to the finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2015-16 and lead from the front with both bat and ball.

He finished the tournament as the highest wicket taker with 17 wickets in 10 matches. His tournament average is 15.76 and strike-rate of 12.9, his best haul was 5/13. Once considered as one of the best swing bowlers of India has again shown the he isn’t finished yet.

The 31-year-old cricketer also had a good time with the bat as he scored 200 runs in 10 matches with an average of 40 and a super strike-rate of 152.67including 9 massive maximums. His all-round performance makes him a very important weapon for any team.

He was adjudged the Man of the match at the finals of the inaugural World T20 final in 2007 which India went on to win against Pakistan.

#4 Luke Wright (England)

England’s T20 specialist did not find a place in the national side

Here is another Englishman on the list who is not a part of the Three Lions World T20 squad despite his superb show in domestic T20 leagues around the world. His striking power at the top of the order could have been very curtail for England’s chances in the World T20.

In England’s domestic T20 tournament NatWest T20 Blast, he was the fourth highest run-getter. Playing for Sussex in 14 appearances he scored 564 runs at an average of 51.27 and a strike-rate of 171.95 including a massive knock of 111*. He also scored 3 half-centuries in the process.

Wright continued his good form with the bat as he went Down Under to play for the Perth Scorchers in the 2016 Big Bash League. He was the seventh highest run-scorer of the tournament with 280 runs in 10 matches at an average of 35 and a strike-rate of almost 130. This time, he managed to score two half-centuries.

The 31-year-old cricketer is a veteran of 51 T20Is and his experience will be heavily missed by the England team in India.

#3 Travis Head (Australia)

Another BBL star is missing from the Australian team

The hard-hitting batsman from Australia is next on the list who is not selected in the national squad. The talented left-hand batsman showed his caliber in the domestic circuits of Australia and made a good reputation for himself as a specialist T20 player.

The 22-year-old has been in a very good vein of form as he finished the Australian domestic T20 tournament the Big Bash League, as the fifth-highest run-scorer. The youngster played for the Adelaide Strikers and was a very important member of the team which finished on top of the points table. He is also a very athletic fielder and contributes heavily in the field.

In nine BBL appearances this season he scored 299 runs at an average of 42.71 and a strike-rate of almost 155. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed a superb knock of 101* in the process along with two half-tons. He also hit 20 massive maximums in the tournament which speaks of his hard-hitting ability.

It is unfortunate that he is not in the World T20 squad despite his good performance in the domestic circuit as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

#2 Chris Lynn (Australia)

The star of the BBL is missing from the Australian team

Another big name which will be missed in the World T20 is the Australian. Lynn has established himself as a match-winner in the shortest format with his destructive batting in the middle-order and has been in a good form in this year.

Playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League 2016, Lynn finished the tournament as the highest run-getter of the tournament. In eight BBL matches, he has scored 378 runs at an average of a staggering 54 and a strike-rate of 173.39, including a massive hundred.

He has also represented Australia in five T20I matches and scored 65 runs with a strike-rate 135.41. He is an experienced T20 player who has played in the IPL previously for the Kolkata Knight Riders. His clean hitting will be dearly missed by the Australian team who will look to win the only world title they haven’t been able to lay their hands on.

#1 Kevin Pietersen (England)

Pietersen will be sorely missed in the tournament

One of the biggest hitters of the cricket ball will be out of the action in the World T20 as his struggle with the ECB continues. Several players of the team have also hinted that they will not play with Pietersen. His off-field controversies, unfortunately, forced him out of international cricket, this is undoubtedly a bigger loss to the England cricket team than his.

The right-hand batsman has been in terrific form throughout the year as he participated in various domestic l T20 leagues all around the world.

In the South African domestic league Ram Slam, he is the second highest run scorer of the tournament with 401 runs in only seven matches. His average in the tournament is a staggering 80.20 and also has a superb strike-rate of 172.84 and he scored two centuries as well.

Pietersen continued his outstanding form as went to Australia to play in the Big Bash League. Playing for the Melbourne Stars he finishes the tournament as the third highest run scorer. In nine matches he scored 323 runs at an average of 40.37 and a strike-rate of 159.11.

England will surely miss his big-hitting ability and his sheer presence in the field.