A lot of players had excellent outings at the T20 World Cup, and only 11 of them could make Wisden’s team of the tournament. That meant several deserving players had to miss out. Here is a look at those who did not make the cut.
Virat Kohli – 298 runs @ 98.66, SR: 136.4
The biggest name on this list. Kohli ended up as the leading run-scorer but his strike-rate came in for criticism during India’s fateful Adelaide Oval defeat to England. Still, Kohli was excellent, especially against Pakistan, and only marginally missed out to Ben Stokes, who played key innings in two must-win games for England and performed with the ball as well.
Kusal Mendis – 223 runs @ 31.85, SR: 142.94
Mendis had a superb tournament and was at the forefront of everything good Sri Lanka did. He scored two fifties and both of them led Sri Lanka to victory. Towards the end, though, he lost a bit of steam, symbolic of how the Islanders also lost their way after promising so much.
Arshdeep Singh – 10 wickets @ 15.6, ER: 7.8
It never looked like Arshdeep was playing his maiden T20 World Cup – such were his performances. In the opening game, he outwitted Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. He got the new ball to talk in most of the matches that he played, and held his nerve at the death, especially against Bangladesh. There was not a lot he could do, though, when Alex Hales and Jos Buttler got going. But take nothing away from what was a breakthrough campaign.
Mohammad Haris – 97 runs @ 24.25, SR: 144.77
Haris only scored 97 runs but played a massive role in transforming Pakistan’s batting fortunes. The only game they lost with him in the side was against England in the final. He could not get going in the summit clash but that was not down to a lack of effort. He is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the future.
Wanindu Hasaranga – 15 wickets @ 13.26, ER: 6.41; 25 runs @ 5, SR: 73.52
Barring the game against Australia at Perth, Hasaranga was at his imperious best, outwitting batters with his clever variations and tight lines. 15 wickets in eight innings amounts to roughly two wickets in every game. What went against him, though, was his batting form. With Shadab Khan being significantly better on that front, and Adil Rashid excelling when England needed him most, Hasaranga failed to make the cut.
Lorcan Tucker – 204 runs @ 40.8, SR: 125.15
The Ireland wicketkeeper came of age at this T20 World Cup, notching up a splendid half-century against Australia at the Gabba. He was tidy on other occasions as well, often acting as the perfect link between Paul Stirling’s belligerence at the top and Curtis Campher and George Dockrell’s finishing act. He was competing with Jos Buttler for a spot in the team of the tournamenet, though, and that did not exactly work in his favour.
Haris Rauf – 8 wickets @ 22.25, ER: 6.84
Rauf seemed unplayable at times during the final, and caused the likes of Buttler and Ben Stokes all sorts of problems. He was exceptional against India too, despite being carted for two game-changing sixes by Kohli. Rauf bowled rapidly throughout and had the rub of the green gone his way, he could have made the team of the tournament.
Special mentions – Bas de Leede, Blessing Muzarabani and Josh Little
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