T20 World Cup 2026: 5 Unlucky players to miss out on selection

Selection is always cruel in a deep cricketing market, and ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, a handful of high-profile names found themselves on the outside. Some were victims of brutal role math, others of timing and form. Here are five players whose omission felt particularly unlucky, as they missed the margin of the selection by a whisker.

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1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill missed out despite being a headline name in India’s white-ball planning. Gill’s numbers and recent franchise heavy lifting make him an obvious T20 match-winner. Yet, selectors chose a different combination for the home World Cup, prioritising keeper-openers and a particular balance that squeezed Gill out. 

It’s a tactical snub as much as a performance one. When a side wants a specific mix of keepers, openers and finishers, even elite batters can be collateral damage. Gill’s recent run totals and technique mean he’s far from out of international reckoning. He’s simply a casualty of tight roster arithmetic as the Indian team already has tons of high-performing players.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion felt harsh given his explosive run in franchise and international cricket. Jaiswal’s left-handed power at the top has repeatedly given India blistering starts, yet the selectors opted for a settled opening strategy that left little room for him. 

There were whispers about availability and selection windows, but the blunt fact is India prioritised a particular top-order mix, and Jaiswal’s aggressive profile couldn’t be shoehorned into the final 15. For a player whose timing and strike-rate are proven, missing a home World Cup is unlucky rather than terminal.

3. Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone’s omission from England’s squad likewise raised eyebrows. Livingstone’s power, range of scoring shots and ability to bowl an over make him the sort of modern multi-role batter teams adore. 

But England’s selection panel went for different match-ups and combination options, and Livingstone, despite franchise fireworks and prior international success, lost out amid questions over consistency and role fit. When selectors prefer a narrower tactical profile, explosive but occasionally inconsistent players can become expendable. That’s the hard logic behind what felt like an unlucky snub.

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4. Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf's absence from Pakistan’s squad was another surprise because he has been a consistent factor in the Pakistani bowling line-up for the past few years now. Rauf’s raw pace and wicket-taking at the death have saved matches and swung series. Yet Pakistan’s selectors opted for a different seam mix and rotation approach for the tournament. 

Workload, match strategy and the need to balance left-right seam options likely cost Rauf his place. His past performance in high-pressure matches and moments was also a significant factor. For a bowler who thrives on momentum, missing the World Cup at the height of domestic league success is undeniably unlucky.

5. Steve Smith

Steve Smith’s absence from Australia’s T20 group felt more like timing than form. He rediscovered serious hitting in the Big Bash too late for selectors who finalised squads earlier. Smith’s classical technique and recent BBL pyrotechnics showed he can adapt to T20 demands, but Australia’s selection panel chose players who fit a pre-set tactical template for the subcontinent. When form peaks after squad deadlines, players bear the cruel timing penalty: a late-season surge simply can’t rewrite earlier selection logic.

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