There was a time in Indian cricket when getting the national cap was a matter of great pride. It was something that came only for hard-earned indian cricket players. Domestic stalwarts like Amol Muzumdar couldn’t get a game across formats.
The cap wasn’t handed over this easily. But post the pandemic, the India cap has seen many recipients. At times there have been questionable beneficiaries too. These players couldn’t extend their run in national colors for long.
We Look at a Few Indian Cricket Players who Might Find it Difficult to Stage a Comeback:
#4 Krishnappa Gowtham
He made news when the Chennai Super Kings splurged a massive INR 9.25 crores in IPL 2021 auction. But Krishnappa Gowtham didn’t feature in a single game for the CSK that season. He was promptly released ahead of the mega auctions next year. Gowtham was handed over a debut in the tour to Sri Lanka in 2021. His performances fail to attract any attention. In a team bustling with spin-bowling allrounders, Gowtham is far behind in the queue.
#3 Nitish Rana
He was at his brilliant best while he represented Mumbai Indians in 2017. Nitish Rana had the uncanny ability to strike from ball one. He was good against pace while being fantastic against spin. But his career has hit a downward spiral in the last few seasons.
Despite him fetching sizeable IPL deals, Rana’s career hasn’t evolved at a pace he would have desired. He was also one of the beneficiaries who got the India cap in 2021 on the tour to Sri Lanka. But he did little of note to stake a claim in the permanent squad.
#2 Rahul Chahar
He had a fairly successful season with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. Rahul Chahar though not spectacular continued his decent run in 2020. He had the ability to prize out wickets from nowhere. It was this factor that led him to earn a place in India’s T20 World Cup 2021. But after a dismal showing in the T20 World Cup 2021, all doors seemed to have been shut on Rahul Chahar. He is nowhere in contention for the Indian team in the near future.
#1 Shivam Dube
injury post the ODI World Cup in 2019 set a series of trials for players competing for the all-rounder’s spot. India tried plenty of players to groom them in Hardik’s absence. The first among many was Shivam Dube.
To his credit, Dube did provide a decent all-round option in the first couple of series. But slowly he was found wanting in the international circuit. His IPL returns too started dipping. Dube did have a fair season with CSK but he doesn’t seem to be anywhere in the running for Indian selection.
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