Top Ten T20I Moments That Destroyed players’ careers

In this article we will take a look at the top ten crushing moments in the history of T20I cricket that destroyed players’ careers. 

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With its intense pace and high-stress circumstances, the world of T20 International cricket has witnessed numerous careers soar and, occasionally, crash. These incidents, which range from unanticipated controversies to unanticipated setbacks, demonstrate the harsh side of T20 International cricket. Promising cricketers whose careers took unexpected turns were stark reminders that in Twenty20 International Cricket, things can change drastically in an instant. Discover these tales of tenacity, failure, and the constant turbulence that characterizes T20I cricket.

2011: Yuvraj Singh’s battle with cancer 

When he received a cancer diagnosis in 2011, one of the most prominent Indian cricket players Yuvraj Singh experienced a personal breakdown. Yuvraj Singh was absent from T20I cricket for a full year as a result of this shocking discovery. After his brave recovery, Yuvraj returned to the team in 2012, demonstrating his tenacity and inspiring others with his fight against the illness. Yuvraj Singh retired from international cricket in 2019, despite a remarkable comeback. Beyond the cricket pitch, Yuvraj’s story of perseverance, success, and retirement is a timeless illustration of the resilience of the human spirit and the unpredictable nature of life’s obstacles.

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2012: Lasith Malinga dropped out from Sri Lanka’s T20I squad 

The renowned fast bowler from Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga, went through a difficult time in T20I cricket. A string of injuries kept him out of the Sri Lanka T20I team in 2012, raising questions about his future. However, Malinga’s victorious comeback in 2013 demonstrated his bowling prowess. Eventually, Malinga emerged as one of the most recognizable T20 bowlers. However, he decided to retire from international cricket in 2021, capping an incredible career that included both devastating comebacks and injury setbacks and leaving a lasting legacy in the T20 cricket world.

2012: Chris Gayle banned for his harsh WICB criticism 

The explosive T20 batsman Chris Gayle of the West Indies had a difficult time during his T20I career. Gayle was suspended for three months from the West Indies Twenty20 International team in 2012 for his outspoken criticism of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Gayle’s 2013 comeback highlighted a string of spectacular innings and unforgettable moments that cemented his place among the format’s greatest players. However, in 2019, Gayle decided to retire from playing cricket internationally, signaling the end of an era. 

2016: Virat Kohli’s golden duck 

One of the finest batsmen in the world, Virat Kohli, led India’s hopes in the high-stakes 2016 T20I World Cup final match between the West Indies and India. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, Kohli suffered a crippling defeat when he was dismissed for a golden duck, an uncommon mistake for a player of his caliber in such an important game. It was a painful moment for Kohli and the Indian team to experience this unplanned defeat, he was subjected to a lot of brutal criticism for his on-field blunder. 

2021: Bumrah faced harsh criticism for his deteriorating form 

The Indian pace-spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, had a rare slump in performance during the 2021 T20I World Cup. Bumrah faced trouble getting into a rhythm, picking up just six wickets at a costly economy rate of 7.55 in five games. This unexpected lackluster performance was a sharp contrast to Bumrah’s standing as one of the best bowlers in the world. Bumrah’s failure to leave a lasting impression was a huge blow to the Indian cricket dominance as well as to him. 

2022: Rohit Sharma’s serious hamstring pull 

The Indian opener and skipper Rohit Sharma, faced a difficult time in T20I cricket. Sharma sustained a hamstring injury during the 2021 T20I World Cup, which prevented him from playing in the pivotal championship games and the home series against New Zealand that followed. Although many anticipated his return in 2022, setbacks continued after Rohit Sharma sustained another injury in March. Due to this injury, Rohit Sharma was unable to play in the first few matches of the Indian Premier League, highlighting how even the most seasoned players can be negatively impacted by the demands of contemporary cricket.

2022: Jadeja ruled out of the T20 World Cup 

India’s top all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, suffered several injury setbacks in 2022. Jadeja sustained a knee injury during the IPL season that forced him out of the Asia Cup and ended his tenure early. Jadeja tried to get healthy again, however in November Jadeja suffered another injury that kept him out of the T20 World Cup even more. These chronic injuries dealt a serious blow to Jadeja’s personal goals and the plans of the Indian team. 

2023: Naseem Shah ruled out of the T20 World Cup 

Team Pakistan suffered a major blow in the run-up to the ICC World Cup 2023 when their star pacer, Naseem Shah, had to be ruled out. Naseem’s injury first became apparent during the Asia Cup 2023, but as the competition went on, it got worse and kept Naseem out of significant games. In light of Naseem’s outstanding form, this blow to Pakistan’s fast-bowling lineup has been a significant loss. 

2023: Axar Patel ruled out from the T20 World Cup 

The spin all-rounder for India, Axar Patel, had to deal with a difficult turn of events during the Asia Cup 2023. After sustaining an injury during the group match against Sri Lanka, there was serious concern about Patel’s recovery. Unfortunately, Patel was unable to make it in time for the World Cup, despite early reports suggesting he might recover in time for the warm-up matches. Subsequently, the Indian management had to make the difficult choice to replace Patel with Ravichandran Ashwin for the ongoing 2023 T20 World Cup. 

2023: Hardik Pandya ruled out from the remaining T20 World Cup 

India’s vice-captain, Hardik Pandya, has been forced to withdraw from the ongoing 2023 Cricket World Cup with an ankle injury, which is a major blow to the team’s chances of winning the tournament. On October 19, 2023, Pandya suffered an injury while bowling against Bangladesh while attempting to stop the ball with his left foot. Pandya was unavailable for the remainder of the tournament as a result of this regrettable incident. Pacer Prasidh Krishna has been called upon by the Indian team to replace Pandya for the remainder of the series. Pandya’s absence is a loss for his dynamic all-around skills as well as his on-field leadership.