While the national stage may have overlooked them, these cricket titans still command the big bucks in the IPL arena!
The Indian T20 World Cup squad has been announced, and while some big names like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were unsurprising selections, others were left out, sparking debate and disappointment. This article explores the stories of five such Indian cricketers—IPL superstars—who command hefty price tags but missed out on a coveted spot in the national team for the mega event.
Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is a prime example of this disconnect. Despite leading his IPL franchise and showcasing his leadership qualities, his impressive ₹12.25 crore price tag couldn't translate into a World Cup berth.
Credit: @ShreyasIyer15
The KKR captain was also in the part of 2023 ODI WC
Iyer has had previous stints with the Indian T20I team, even featuring in reserve squads for the 2021 and 2022 World Cups but never getting a chance to play. With his consistent performances in the IPL, many believed this would be his year, but it seems the selectors have other plans.
KL Rahul held the dubious distinction of being the most expensive Indian player in IPL 2024, commanding a hefty ₹17 crore deal with the Lucknow Super Giants. However, his big price tag couldn't translate into a World Cup call-up.
Credit: @Kunal_KLR
Rahul was the vice-captain of team India in the last T20 WC
In a surprising turn of events, Rahul, who was the vice captain of the Indian team in the 2022 World Cup, finds himself out of favour this year. This omission has left many scratching their heads, as Rahul's talent and experience are undeniable.
Harshal Patel, the fiery pacer who has been wreaking havoc on batters in IPL 2024, is another big name missing from the World Cup squad. Currently, he's among the tournament's leading wicket-takers, justifying the ₹11.75 crore the Punjab Kings shelled out for him at the auction.
Credit: @jigy_asu
Harshal Patel is very consistent in IPL
Patel was part of the Indian squad in the 2022 World Cup, but this year, he finds himself out of both the main squad and the reserves. This snub raises questions about selection criteria, with some arguing that in-form IPL performers deserve a stronger look.
Deepak Chahar, the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) all-rounder, was another player many expected to see in the World Cup squad. CSK recognised his value, retaining him for a whopping ₹14 crore. Chahar is a handy bowling all-rounder who can contribute with the bat as well.
Credit: @ShuhidAufridi
Deepak Chahar with MSD in a CSK match
However, his recent injury struggles seem to have hampered his World Cup aspirations. With Hardik Pandya back in form and the emergence of Shivam Dube, the competition for pace-bowling all-rounder slots intensified, and unfortunately, Chahar missed out.
Ishan Kishan, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper batsman for the Mumbai Indians (MI), is another surprising omission. Kishan was part of the Indian team in the 2021 T20 World Cup and even featured in squads for other major tournaments like the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup in 2023.
Credit: @maddogslilbitch
Ishan Kishan is overlooked by selectors
Despite being retained by MI for a hefty ₹15.25 crore and putting in consistent performances, he finds himself out of favour for the upcoming World Cup. This has left many fans questioning the rationale behind the selection.
The big question that lingers is: do these hefty IPL price tags always translate into World Cup call-ups? It seems, in the case of these five talented cricketers, the answer is a resounding no.
