For the 2021 T20 World Cup, Team India had picked eight players to assist the main squad. However, a few of them are not close to the setup now. In this article, we take a look at four players picked to assist India in the 2021 T20 World Cup but are not in consideration for the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Umran Malik and Venkatesh Iyer were part of the travelling group then. They are currently in the scheme of things for the 2022 T20 WC. However, the other group of players are unlikely to get selected.
1) Karn Sharma
Karn Sharma did not play a lot of IPL cricket in recent years. Yet, he was picked to support the squad for the T20 World Cup. He offers a different kind of leg spin and considering the event was in the UAE, the management had him on board. However, India’s leg-spin reserves are plenty right now. While Yuzvendra Chahal leads the pack, there is also Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav in the setup. Hence, Karn Sharma is not in the plan.
2) Lukman Meriwala
Lukman Meriwala is one of the players picked to assist India in the 2021 T20 World Cup but is not in consideration for the 2022 T20 World Cup. The Baroda left-arm pacer had a good Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy. Hence, he got an IPL 2021 contract for Delhi Capitals. However, he could not leave an impression with his performances. Nevertheless, since he was a left-arm pace option, he was part of the touring group.
3) K Gowtham
K Gowtham was on the fringes of Team India in 2021. He even made his international debut. However, he is not in the scheme of things right now. The Karnataka all-rounder has played too little IPL cricket for forcing the selectors to have an eye on him. For the 2021 T20 WC, he was used as the right-arm off-spin option in the nets.
4) Shahbaz Ahmed
Shahbaz Ahmed is also one of the players picked to assist India in the 2021 T20 World Cup but is not in consideration for the 2022 T20 World Cup. The Bengal all-rounder was there in the squad to help the India batters get used to more left-arm off-spin. Although he is not in consideration right now, with the performances in recent months, the player could represent India soon. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Krunal Pandya will be his competition. Shahbaz must also work on his bowling to become more relevant in the discussions.
