England vs India, 2018: 5 players from India's squad in 2014 who were not included this time 

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016: Semi-Final: West Indies v India
Rahane in action for India

The Indian cricket team will take on England in a three-match T20I series which begins today at Old Trafford in Manchester. Following the T20I series, the two sides will take on each other in a three-match ODI series as well.

The last time India toured England, they had a torrid time in the Test series. But they bounced back and won the ODI series 3-1, with the first ODI of the five-match series being washed out without a ball being bowled. However, they lost the only T20I which they played by three runs.

There were a few players back in 2014 who played a big role in India's success in the ODI series. However, due to certain circumstances, they are not included in the squad this time around.

With the series beginning today, let's take a look at 5 players from India who were a part of the limited overs squad last time around but are not there this time.


#5 Ajinkya Rahane

The 30-year-old Test vice-captain of the Indian cricket team was one of the key players of India’s limited overs squad last time around when they visited England in 2014.

In the four matches he played, he scored 192 runs at an average of 48 with a century to his name. He scored 106 in just 100 balls in the 4th ODI of the five-match series held at Edgbaston in Birmingham to lead India to a comfortable victory and hand them the series.

In the only T20I which the two sides played, he failed to make an impact as he scored just 8 runs. India ended up losing that match.

Ever since then he has been quite inconsistent in ODIs and T20Is and has failed to make much of an impact. He continues to be one of the best Test batsmen for India, especially when playing abroad but his failure in the shorter formats of the game and the emergence of players like KL Rahul have led to his exclusion from both the formats of the game.

#4 Ambati Rayudu

ZIMBABWE-CRICKET
Rayudu playing a good cut shot

The veteran was selected for India’s tour to England this time around as well, however, due to his failure in the yo-yo Test, he was dropped from the side.

He had a spectacular Indian Premier League season with the Chennai Super Kings and was one of the best batsmen in the tournament. His performances were one of the main reasons why CSK won the title.

He played well the last time India toured England, scoring 117 runs in 2 ODIs with two half-centuries to his name.

#3 Ravichandran Ashwin

CRICKET-WC-2015-IND
Ashwin will have to sit this tour out

From being the premier bowler in all formats of the game, Ravichandran Ashwin has become just a one-format bowler over the past couple of years or so.

The last time the Men in Blue toured England, Ashwin played in four ODIs and picked up 7 wickets at an economy of just over 4. Since then, his performances in the limited overs formats have dipped and he has been quite inconsistent.

The emergence of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as the two prime bowlers in ODIs and T20Is led to Ashwin’s exclusion from the side.

#2 Mohammed Shami

South Africa v India - 3rd Test Day 3
Shami celebrates a wicket for India

Mohammed Shami has had quite a roller-coaster career with the Indian cricket team so far. He has been extremely effective with the ball whenever he has played, however, constant injuries and controversies have hampered his career.

He played a big role in India’s success in the ODIs against England last time around, picking up 8 wickets in 4 matches at an economy rate of under 5.

Like Ashwin, his performances in the limited overs format began dipping over the past few years and he has not been as consistent as he used to be. With the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah and a few other youngsters, Shami has lost his place in the ODI and T20I sides.

#1 Stuart Binny

Indian And South African Cricket Teams Practice In Bengaluru
Binny practices in Bengaluru

Stuart Binny was included in the squad for the tour to England last time around but he did not play a single ODI or T20I for the Men in Blue. He was included in the Test series but he failed to make an impact there.

His career has gone downhill ever since and he has been extremely inconsistent in his performances.

He continues to play a major role in the domestic season for Karnataka, however, he has not been able to break back into the Indian team

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