5 Prominent Players Who Might Not Get A Single Match To Play In The 20-20 World Cup 2022

All teams are busy playing the ongoing 20-20 World Cup in Australia. Big teams like Australia, England, and India have already kicked off their tournament. Players have also come up with some big performances for their teams. But, still, there are some players who still failed to get game time in this World Cup.

However, seeing their recent forms and team combinations, these players might not get into the playing XI any time soon. These players have produced big impacts in their careers so far. But, in this shortest format of the game, these players have lost their positions to others.     

Here are five players who might warm up the bench for their respective teams in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant for India (Image Source: Twitter) 

This wicketkeeper batter from India might not get any match in this ongoing 20-20 World Cup. Before this mega event, his place in the playing XI became doubtful in T20Is. Even, reports were there that selectors could drop Rishabh Pant over Dinesh Karthik and Sanju Samson. But, Pant got the final ticket along with Karthik.

But, he last played for India in the two practice games against Western Australia XI. Pant got the opportunities but failed to score big. In the warm-up match against the Aussies, he was seen with heavy strapping and an ice pack on his right knee. He did not even play the tournament opener against Pakistan on 23 October 2022.    

Steve Smith 

Steve Smith for Australia (Image Source: Twitter)

This prolific batter from Australia is another player who might not get any game time in this year’s 20-20 World Cup. Steve Smith last played for the Aussies in the recently concluded home T20I series against England. He played only one match where he scored unbeaten seven runs off eight balls. 

He also played in the warm-up match against India. In that clash, he scored only 11 runs off 12 balls, including one six. Some fans were still wanting him on the team as he can stable the innings during a collapse. But, Australia went without him so far in the tournament in the first two matches. After losing to the Kiwis, fans also blamed Cricket Australia for not selecting him in the playing XI.    

Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill for New Zealand (Image Source: Twitter)

For a long time, this Kiwi batter is famous for his power-hitting abilities at the top order. But, before the World Cup, Martin Guptill lost his position in the team. They went with Finn Allen instead of this veteran batter. However, New Zealand gave him chance in one match of the T20I tri-series in New Zealand.

In that match, he scored 34 runs off 27 balls, at a strike rate of 125.92. Even, in the final against Pakistan, he did not get a place in the playing XI. Now, in the first match against Australia, New Zealand went with Finn Allen instead of him. So, it looks like this batter will warm up the bench only in this World Cup. 

Adam Milne

Adam Milne for New Zealand (Image Source: Twitter)

This is another Kiwi star who might not get any game time in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup. Adam Milne is one of the bowlers from their available bowling unit. But, he failed to get into the playing XI in the first match against the Aussies. Milne last played in the T20I tri-series in New Zealand.

He played only two matches where he picked up three wickets for 36 runs in six overs. Still, New Zealand preferred Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson over Milne in the tournament opener. As of now, Milne has played 33 T20Is where he grabbed 35 wickets, at an average of 25.42.     

Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan for England (Image Source: Twitter)

This England pacer has also missed the first two matches of the 20-20 World Cup so far. In this year’s competition, England have played with Afghanistan and Ireland. But, in both these games, Chris Jordan missed any chance to get into the playing XIs. Chris Jordan last played for England in the T20I series against Australia.

However, he played in only one game in that two-match T20I series. In that match, Jordan conceded 39 runs in three overs without any wickets. Hence, his recent performance was not enough to get him a place in the playing XI. Thus, England went with other options than Jordan in these World Cup matches.