The 2021 T20 World Cup is set to begin in just over a month’s time, almost five-and-a-half years after the previous edition. The hopes of a number of players would have come crashing down after they were not selected by their respective teams for one reason or another. We take a look at the XI that is made up of players who were unlucky to miss out.

Alex Hales

One of the most destructive white-ball batters in the world but off-field issues continue to result in his non-selection for England.

Sanju Samson

A superstar of Indian cricket and captain of the Rajasthan Royals, Samson narrowly missed out on a place in their T20 World Cup squad. However, with the IPL resuming and the ever-present risk of injuries, a fruitful competition could see him force his way into the squad as a late call-up.

Faf du Plessis

Faf retired from Test cricket this year with the express goal of making the squad for this competition. However, he hasn’t played a white-ball game for South Africa since December and hasn’t been a part of any of their recent squads either. He registered his highest T20 score of 120* in the Caribbean Premier League earlier this month.

AB de Villiers

Having initially retired from international cricket in 2018, De Villiers decided in May of this year that he wasn’t going to return for the World Cup citing concerns about coming in ahead of players who had long been in the system.

Ben Stokes

One of the global superstars of the sport is taking an indefinite break from the game and as a result, will miss this year’s World T20. Stokes was the fall guy at the previous competition in 2016 as Carlos Brathwaite hit him for four consecutive sixes to win the title. But, the following year, he won the MVP award in the IPL and has had a fairly decent day out or two whilst in England colours since.

Chris Morris

The most expensive player in IPL auction history will be absent from this year’s competition. Morris hasn’t played for South Africa for two years and in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo in February he said that he didn’t know whether he had a future with the team.

Sunil Narine

Narine has been a regular in T20 franchises across the world, however, has not played for the West Indies since 2019. In February he was approached by selectors in relation to being called up to the squad however told them that he wasn’t ready to return to international cricket.

Jofra Archer

Archer’s stress fracture has ruled him out of all cricket for the remainder of 2021. Already a 50-over World Cup winner, Archer’s pace and lower order hitting make him one of the most sought-after T20 players in the world.

Adam Milne

On the reserve list for New Zealand’s squad, but his recent performances in the T20 Blast and the Hundred have left many wondering how a side in the world could possibly not select Milne in their XI let alone their squad. A fantastic bowler.

Imran Tahir

Despite being one of the leading spinners on the T20 circuit, Tahir has been left out of South Africa’s squad for this World Cup. Tahir has also said in the press that he hasn’t been contacted by South Africa’s selectors since being told he was in their plans for the competition last year.

Imran Tahir wasn't in South Africa's #T20WorldCup squad and reveals that he has not been contacted since being told last year that he is in their plans for the tournament 😐#Proteas pic.twitter.com/ZUjir4Q6RE

— CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) September 10, 2021

Matt Parkinson

Every cricket hipster’s favourite player makes another “nearly” list. The bowler who has sent down innumerable deliveries that can be shortlisted as the ‘Ball of the Century’ is a real X-factor player and a point of difference for any T20 side.

T20 World Cup Absentee XI

Alex Hales
Sanju Samson
Faf du Plessis
AB de Villiers
Ben Stokes
Chris Morris
Sunil Narine
Jofra Archer
Adam Milne
Imran Tahir
Matt Parkinson