Cricket in India is more than just a sport; it’s an emotion. Over the years, many have represented the country, creating magical moments on the pitch. However, every player’s time in the limelight eventually fades, making way for the next generation. Today, we dive deep into the careers of five players who might never play for India again.
5 Players Who Might Never Don the Indian Jersey Again:
1. Shikhar Dhawan:
Commonly referred to as ‘Gabbar’, Dhawan has dazzled fans with his batting prowess. With 6793 runs in 167 matches, he proudly stands as the 10th highest run-scorer for India in ODIs. Moreover, he occupies the fifth spot in T20 cricket for the nation. He played pivotal roles in the 2015 and 2019 World Cup and even clinched the man of the match title in the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, since 10 December 2022, Dhawan’s absence from the team raises eyebrows. Many speculate that his era with the Blues might have reached its twilight.
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:
The ‘King of Swing’, as many affectionately call him, has been a linchpin for the bowling attack. Kumar’s record includes 21 Tests, 121 ODIs, and 87 Twenty20 matches for India. He debuted in Twenty20 against Pakistan in 2012. Impressively, he is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is. Yet, his name hasn’t featured in the team list since 22 November 2022. Adding fuel to retirement speculations, Kumar recently changed his Instagram bio, omitting his tag as an Indian cricketer.
3. Ishant Sharma:
Stepping into the legendary shoes of Kapil Dev, Ishant emerged as the second fast bowler to play 100 Test matches for India. However, this towering pacer’s recent appearances have dwindled. He last represented India on 29 November 2021. Furthermore, it’s been years since he played ODI (2016) and T20 cricket (2013) for India. With younger talents like Mohammad Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Shardul Thakur dominating, Ishant’s return seems uncertain.
4. Dinesh Karthik:
A story of comebacks, Dinesh Karthik‘s journey saw many ups and downs. He returned to the Indian squad for the Twenty20 World Cup recently. However, he couldn’t meet the team’s expectations. Now 38, the chances of Karthik returning to international cricket appear slim. Instead, he seems to be finding solace and success in his new role as a commentator.
5. Wriddhiman Saha:
As a senior wicketkeeper-batsman, Saha contributed significantly with 40 Tests and 9 ODIs under his belt. However, since 2021, his place in the squad remains unoccupied. Rishabh Pant’s exceptional form ensures Saha’s exclusion. The nail in the coffin was his omission even when Pant was unavailable for the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy.
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Cricket is a game of ever-changing dynamics. While these players have given us countless memories, the rise of younger talents indicates a shift. As they say, every ending is a new beginning. The departure of these stalwarts will pave the way for newcomers to carve their niche in Indian cricket.
