Out of the blue: Five most unexpected squad selections for T20 World Cup 2021
The T20 World Cup 2021 is just a month away All the teams have announced their squads for this huge competition and like always, some picks will be debated and talked about. Here are the top 5 surprising picks from the T20 WC squads:
Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Kamindu Mendis is the ambidextrous bowler from Sri Lanka, who had made some noise in the 2016 U19 World Cup, but since then, he has been missing a bit from the limelight. Recently in the SLC T20 domestic competition, he batted quite well and was picked for the World Cup. His last T20I was in March 2019 and he has played only four. Considering his inexperience, his inclusion was a bit surprising apart from the selections of Maheesh Theekshana and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
Josh Inglis (Australia)
Here are just some of the reasons why Josh Inglis has surged into Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup pic.twitter.com/9PkthkwMIU
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 21, 2021
Australia needed two wicketkeeping-batsman in their squad for the T20 World Cup. After middling between Joshua Phillipe and Alex Carey (ODI vice-captain), the selectors decided to pick Josh Inglis. Now, the Western Australian wicketkeeper has done well in recent times without a doubt but whether he will be able to deliver on the big stage, still is a doubt. It should be noted he hasn’t played a single game for Australia in any format yet.
Khushdil Shah (Pakistan)
Pakistan did their best in trying to fit Fakhar Zaman as a middle-order batter in their T20 World Cup squad but after trying him for a couple of series in that role, the selectors ended up picking Khushdil Shah. To his credit, Shah is a bright prospect and has impressed everyone in domestic cricket and PSL, but picking him straight for the T20 World Cup without giving him a long run of matches seems surprising, to say the least. He has played 9 T20Is, though.
Ravi Rampaul (West Indies)
Ravi Rampaul at the age of 36, having played his last international match in 2015, will be returning for West Indies in upcoming T20 Worldcup 2021. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7YRmy6QJEk
— Sʏᴇᴅ Sʜᴀʀɪϙ Hᴜssᴀɪɴ (@ShariqHussain_) September 9, 2021
When you are 36 as a fast-bowler and have not played for your international side for around six years, it is highly unlikely that you will make a comeback. However, Rampaul has been performing quite well in his recent stints in county cricket and CPL. His effort of 18 wickets in nine matches in CPL 2021 made the selectors pick him for his experience and form. Even though it was surprising, his form makes him deserve a place in the team.
Axar Patel (India)
Ravichandran Ashwin’s comeback in white-ball setup after four years was surprising, but when you consider the fact he is the only right-arm off-spinner available after Washington Sundar’s injury, it starts to make sense. However, Axar Patel is more like a direct replacement to Ravindra Jadeja. Given Jadeja’s presence, it makes little sense. On top of that, it should be noted that Patel has played only one T20I since Feb 2018.
