20-20 World Cup 2022: Five big names who might be benched in the entire tournament

20-20 World Cup 2022 is underway with the participation of 12 teams in the super-12 round of the tournament. The eighth edition of the tournament has witnessed very interesting matches so far and a great display of the game of cricket. Almost all teams have played their first matches in the tournament.

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There are also a few big and popular names who are a part of their respective squads in the 20-20 World Cup 2022. But they couldn’t make it to the playing XI of their tournament openers. There is also the possibility that these big guns might miss the entire tournament and their teams might not include them in the playing XI.

So, without further ado, here we’ll have a look at five players who may have to sit on the bench in the entire eighth edition of the 20-20 World Cup.

1. Steve Smith – Australia

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Former Australian skipper and legendary batter Steve Smith is considered one of the modern-day greats and serving the national team of Australia almost for the last 12 years. But this time during the 20-20 World Cup 2022, he might be the one who may fail to make it to the playing XI of the team throughout the entire tournament.

The presence of Tim David is making Smith’s presence irrelevant in the playing XI. The former’s ability to strengthen the lower middle order and Steve was looking like a misfit in the schemes of the management.

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2. Rishabh Pant – India

The star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has proved his worth with the time in the game's most extended format. But he is struggling with the bat in the T20Is. So, the management might think of going ahead with the senior wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik for the role of a finisher and also behind the wickets.

Speaking of the top order of the team, KL Rahul can’t be dropped as he is the vice-captain of the group. So, it will be a bit tougher for Pant to make a cut to the playing XI of the team in the ongoing edition of the 20-20 World Cup 2022.

3. Martin Guptill – New Zealand

The veteran New Zealand batter Martin Guptill who has produced a lot of match-defining knocks for his team is also a part of the national squad of New Zealand squad. The management happened to include the young batter Finn Allen for the first game they played against Australia.

This move came as a good call for the Kiwis as Allen provided a blistering start for the team. So, considering that, the skipper and management might opt to leave Guptill out of the playing XI in the entire tournament.

4. Yuzvendra Chahal – India

Earlier, the 32-year-old leggie was being considered as the lead spinner for the men in blue in the 20-20 World Cup. But the exclusion of Jasprit Bumrah has made the management go for having depth in the bowling. Keeping that in mind, Ravichandran Ashwin can make it to the XI for his ability to contribute with the bat as well.

In that case, Yuzvendra Chahal might miss playing any match in the ongoing 2022 edition of the 20-20 World Cup 2022. So, the management and skipper Rohit Sharma might count on the senior all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin tp pick in the playing XI.

5. Tabraiz Shamsi

Currently, Keshav Maharaj is serving in the role of the lead spinner for South Africans. He has shown some good outings with the ball in the last few matches. Apart from that, he is also there in the role of deputy to Temba Bavuma. In case of the requirement of a spinner, senior batter Aiden Markram can also deliver a few overs for the team.

Without having a proper all-rounder, the Proteas might add one more pacer in the eleven. So, the senior spinner Tabraiz Shamsi might have to sit in the dugout for the entire tournament in the 20-20 World Cup 2022.