Indian cricket team has been home to legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and many more. While players like Sachin, Gavaskar and Kapil Dev got everything they needed included a nice farewell there are some are players who have been quite unfortunate. Some Indian cricketers have been treated harshly by the Indian cricket team management and BCCI despite their good performances. Here in this article we have covered some of the most unluckiest Indian cricketers ever.
1. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh was the player of the tournament in India’s two World Cup victories under MS Dhoni. He was suffering from cancer but despite that gave his heart and soul to play for India in the 2011 World Cup. He fought cancer and made a comeback into the Indian cricket team and played the 2017 Champions Trophy. However, his average performance in the Champions Trophy led to his removal from the Indian team and ultimately the legendary all-rounder decided to retire after the IPL 2018. For all his contributions, Yuvraj Singh definitely deserved a farewell match.
2. Irfan Pathan
Before Hardik Pandya came along, Irfan Pathan was the bowling all-rounder who could smash the bowlers all around the park and bowl insane swing at the top. No one can forget his hat-trick against the Pakistani team in the first over of the Test match. He was dropped from the Indian team in 2008 despite delivering a match winning performance. Pathan made a comeback after four years in 2012 but it was too late for him to make an impact. Ultimately, he decided to retire and move on with his life.
Also read: 7 Indian cricketers whose careers were probably cut short by MS Dhoni
3. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir retired from all forms of cricket in 2018. There was a time when he was called the big match player. Gambhir played vital knocks in World Cup 2007 and World Cup 2011 Final. Despite that Gambhir did not get the deserving respect. He became part of the rotation policy implemented by MS Dhoni according to which only two of the Sehwag, Sachin and Gambhir will play in a match. Ultimately, Gambhir’s form collapsed and he was ousted from the Indian team.
4. Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu was dropped from the Indian team right before the World Cup 2019 despite being in very good form. He was replaced by Vijay Shankar who did not do anything significant in the tournament. Rayudu pointed out the discrimination through social media and decided to retire from the international cricket. BCCI really wasted the talent of Ambati Rayudu.
5. S Sreesanth
S Sreesanth was one of India’s main pace bowlers until he was found guilty of spot fixing in IPL 2023. BCCI banned him from cricket and the cricketer went to court to ultimately get the ban lifted after several years. However, Sreesanth did not get any support from BCCI and had to retire at the end. Unlike PCB which supported Mohammad Amir despite proved fixing allegations the BCCI did not give any second chance to Sreesanth.
6. Kedar Jadhav
Kedar Jadhav was dropped from the Indian team in 2020 due to the age factor. The batter was then 34 years old. Kedar was doing phenomenally well for India at number six position with 867 runs in 29 innings at an average of 48.16 and a strike rate of 106.77. His numbers were only second to Jos Buttler at the number sixth position in ODIs. However, the BCCI did not find him enticing enough and ended his career by dropping him permanently.
7. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma has never raised his voice about the selection procedure of Indian team. He is quietly doing a fine job for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023. The tall Indian pacer was one of the main Indian bowlers in Test cricket alongside Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. However, the arrival of Jasprit Bumrah who is now injured and doubtful for the Test cricket in future and Mohammed Siraj led to the removal of Ishant Sharma from the Test team. He is still quite capable and could have been a good asset for Team India.