Top Five ODI Players Who Might Never Represent Their Country

There are a plethora of players who had a fine career in the ODI format. However, the lack of form pushed them out of the team. Thus, it has been a difficult comeback road for these players.

In fact, they have been instrumental in the success of their respective teams. However, the growing age, fitness and the spate of injuries has not been their friend.

Therefore, we take a look at five ODI players who might never play for their country.

Here the top five players who may have played their swansong.

Yuvraj Singh

India’s Yuvraj Singh is one of the best ODI players. Yuvraj Singh has scored 8701 runs in the 304 ODI matches. The southpaw spinner also scalped 111 wickets in the 50-overs format.

However, Yuvraj Singh career was cut short when he suffered from cancer. In fact, he was able to make a heroic comeback in the Indian team though he never looked like the same player.

The left-handed fitness also went down and it looks a difficult comeback road for Yuvraj Singh. He last played in the Indian colors in June, 2017.

Lasith Malinga 

Lasith Malinga achieved great success for Sri Lanka. Malinga was able to hit the right areas despite having an uncommon action. However, his action was difficult to pick for the batsmen.

Malinga was able to hit the bullseye with his yorkers. However, there is a considerable dip in his form which made Sri Lankan selectors drop him. Malinga took 301 wickets in the 204 One-Dayers.

In fact, Malinga also led Sri Lanka to T20 World Cup glory in 2014. Malinga last played for Sri Lanka in September 2017.

Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez is also shown the exit doors by the Pakistan team due to his poor form. Hafeez played his last ODI against New Zealand earlier in the year. However, he hasn’t been able to make a comeback into the team since then.

Mohammad Hafeez brings experience to the Pakistan batting line-up as he has scored 6107 runs in 200 matches. Furthermore, he can also chip in with the ball as he taken 136 wickets.

Gautam Gambhir 

Gautam Gambhir hasn’t called it a day on his International career yet. Gambhir has been an unsung hero in the pivotal matches of Indian cricket folklore. The opening southpaw batsman had scored a fine knock of 75 in the final of the 2007 World Cup T20I.

Furthermore, he had set up the pillars for India’s run chase in the final of the 2011 World Cup. The left-hander had scored a fine 97 to take India close to Sri Lanka’s target.

Gambhir scored 5238 runs in his ODI career of 147 matches.

Dale Steyn 

Dale Steyn is more known for his Test career. However, a spate of injuries has put his career in the reverse gear. Steyn recently made a comeback, however, he didn’t look efficient in unfriendly seam bowling conditions of Sri Lanka.

In fact, Steyn had made it clear that the next year World Cup will be his swansong in the 50-overs format. However, with the emergence of young Proteas pace battery, it will be difficult for Steyn to make his way back in the South African limited overs squad.

Steyn took 180 wickets in 116 matches and last played for the Rainbow nation in the ODI version in October 2016.