Nidahas Trophy 2018: 3 Indian players who failed to grab their opportunities

Nidahas trophy was the Indian team's last series of their long gruelling season. After the long tour of South Africa, selectors gave rest to some of the senior players, which gave a chance to a newer generation of players to prove their worth in international cricket.

The Indian Cricket Team played brilliant cricket throughout the T20I series and eventually won the title, thanks to Dinesh Karthik's heroics in the final against Bangladesh. While there were a lot of positives to take away from the series, there were some causes of concerns as well.

Players like Washington Sundar shined in the series and made a strong case for themselves for the future tournaments, but there were some players who weren't able to perform as per expectation. We will look at 3 such players who failed to grab this golden opportunity.

---

#3 Mohammed Siraj

Siraj failed to make a mark for India

Mohammed Siraj was selected in the squad at the back of some good performances in domestic tournaments. After sitting out in the first three matches, he was finally selected in the playing XI for the game against Bangladesh.

After making 176 runs in the allotted 20 overs, India was looking to restrict the Bangladeshi openers in the powerplay, but Siraj failed to do so. He went for 24 runs in his first two overs, while in his last two overs he went for 26 runs bowling at the death.

After giving away 50 runs in 4 overs while taking only one wicket, he was dropped for the finals. Siraj hasn't had a good start to his international career and he will have to do something exceptional to get back in the side.

#2 Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat had a mediocre series

Jaydev Unadkat was the most experienced fast bowler going into the series, but his performance wasn't as per expectations. Unadkat played in the first three matches before getting dropped for India's last league match against Bangladesh, only to make a comeback in the final.

While Unadkat was successful in picking up 7 wickets in 4 matches, his economy rate was on the higher side. In the 14 overs that he bowled in the series, he gave away 139 runs at an economy of 9.92 runs per over.

Apart from being expensive, Unadkat wasn't able to take wickets in the powerplays which made it difficult for the team in the middle overs. The left-arm seamer has already been given ample of chances, and performances like these might not help his cause of cementing a permanent place in the side.

#1 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant failed to carry his good domestic form in international cricket

Rishabh Pant was in excellent form going into this series. He played some splendid innings in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy and experts were expecting a great show from him. But unfortunately, Pant's dismal run in international cricket continued.

In the first game against Sri Lanka, Pant struggled with his timing and made a run-a-ball. In order to provide him with more time at the crease, he was promoted to number three in the next match against Bangladesh.

However, the move backfired as Pant threw his wicket away after scoring just 7 runs. After his disappointing performance in the first two matches, he was dropped from the side.

Losing out on opportunities like this and with the competition for a place in the middle order stiffening, Risab Pant maybe running out of time and opportunities for him to prove himself.