The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s 15-member squad for the bilateral five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The series is set to begin on July 6, and all five matches will be played in Harare. The BCCI decided to rest players participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, including stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
In their absence, emerging batting star Shubman Gill has been handed over the captaincy armband. Not only this, but as many as four players have received their maiden national call-up in the upcoming series. However, a few more players who deserved a spot in the team have been ignored.
In this article, let’s have a look at a few names who were unlucky to have missed out on India’s squad for the upcoming five-match series.
Venkatesh Iyer
Kolkata Knight Riders star Venkatesh Iyer who proved to be pivotal in the IPL 2024 was one of the names that got dropped from the Indian squad. The all-rounder scored 370 runs in 14 games he played for the side with an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.80. While he couldn’t come up with a decent bowling performance and delivered only one over, where he conceded 28 runs.
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma was Mumbai Indians’ one of most reliable batters in times of need and struggle. The left-handed batter scored 416 runs at an average of 42 with a strike rate of 150. Varma emerged as one of the most suitable names in the middle order. Varma didn’t play Mumbai’s final match of the season against Lucknow Super Giants due to injury, but there’s no reason why he was not selected for this series.
Rajat Patidar
RCB player Rajat Patidar emerged as one of the most dangerous batters in the IPL 2024, especially against the spinners. In the 2024 season, he scored 395 runs in 15 matches with an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 177.13.
Sai Sudharshan
Young batter Sai Sudharshan received his maiden India call-up in 2023 for the South Africa tour with India A side and was expected to be called for the Zimbabwe tour as well. In the IPL 2024, Sudharshan overtook legend Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring the fastest 1000 IPL runs amongst Indians. In 12 games in the season, Sudharshan hit 527 runs with the highest score of 103 runs at an average of 47.91 and a strike rate of 141.29.
Yuzvendra Chahal
India’s spinning ace Yuzvendra Chahal received a call back from the selectors in the T20 World Cup 2024 after a stunning performance in the IPL 2024. However, Chahal got dropped after not playing even a single match in the ICC spectacle, which seems unreal to fans and followers. The RR bowler is known for taking wickets in crucial times and has guided the side to several victories in the past. In the 2024 edition of the IPL, Chahal scalped 18 wickets in 15 games and also scripted history by becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the tournament’s history.
Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana was one of the driving forces behind the Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory in the IPL 2024. In 13 games, Rana picked up a total of 19 wickets and shone out with his variations during the tournament. Rana also bowled in death overs and maintained an economy of 9.08 in the latest edition. While he was expected to get the call for the Zimbabwe T20Is, selectors went ahead with names like Tushar Deshpande, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed.
T Natarajan
SunRisers Hyderabad star T Natarajan who last played for India in 2021 is another unlucky name who missed India’s call for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. In the 2024 season of the IPL, Natarajan scalped 19 wickets in 14 matches. The 33-year-old flew to Australia during the 2020 tour as a net-bowler and ended up making his all-format debut during the series.
Sandeep Sharma
Rajasthan Royals’ star pacer Sandeep Sharma, who was one of the biggest driving forces behind their commendable campaign in the IPL 2024, also missed India’s call for the upcoming series. The pacer was in rhythm throughout the season and also became the first Indian pacer to pick a fifer for the Royals during the game against Mumbai Indians. His figures of 5/18 were recorded as the third-best by a RR bowler in history.