Being dropped from the World Cup squad is perhaps one of the most devastating setbacks a cricketer can face. It’s the pinnacle of international cricket, and missing out, especially when you’re at the top of your game, can sting deeply. However, cricket is a sport that often offers a second chance. Over the years, several players who were dropped from the World Cup have responded with character-defining performances, proving selectors wrong and etching their names into cricketing folklore.
This article dives deep into the Top 10 Most Impactful Performances by Players Dropped From the World Cup squads. From legendary comebacks to match-winning spells and defiant centuries, these stories aren’t just about numbers; they’re about redemption, resilience, and reclaiming lost glory.
10. Ambati Rayudu – 100 in IPL 2021
In a controversial call, Rayudu was dropped from the World Cup 2019 squad in favour of Vijay Shankar. In IPL 2021, Rayudu let his bat do the talking with a brilliant unbeaten century.
Impact: A silent protest through performance, not press conferences.
| Match | Opponent | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSK vs MI | Mumbai Indians | 100* | T20 (IPL) | Delhi | 2021 |
9. Imran Tahir – 4/29 vs Netherlands (2022 T20 WC)
Despite being fit and eager, Tahir was dropped from the World Cup T20 squads multiple times post-2019. But in franchise leagues, especially the PSL and CPL, he kept spinning webs around batsmen.
Impact: Highlighted age should never overshadow form.
| Match | Opponent | Figures | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi | CPL | 4/29 | T20 | Port of Spain | 2022 |
8. Mohammad Amir – 3/16 vs India (2017 Champions Trophy Final)
Amir was controversially dropped from the World Cup 2015 after his ban. But when he returned, he produced a dream spell against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final.
Impact: That spell won Pakistan the match and perhaps the tournament.
| Match | Opponent | Figures | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan vs India | India | 3/16 | ODI | The Oval | 2017 |
7. Sunil Narine – 17 wickets in IPL 2021
Known as a mystery spinner, Narine was dropped from the World Cup squad for 2021 due to fitness concerns. But in IPL 2021, he was instrumental in taking KKR to the finals with both bat and ball.
Impact: Reaffirmed his match-winning abilities and confounded critics.
| League | Wickets | Best | Economy | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2021 | 16 | 4/21 | 6.44 | 2021 |
6. Ravichandran Ashwin – 6/41 vs South Africa (2021)
Ashwin was dropped from the World Cup T20 squad in 2021. But his return to Test cricket the same year was monumental. Against South Africa, he dismantled a strong batting lineup with a six-wicket haul.
Impact: Proved that the elite class remains undiminished by selectors’ decisions.
| Match | Opponent | Figures | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs South Africa | South Africa | 6/41 | Test | Centurion | 2021 |
5. Yuvraj Singh – 113 vs West Indies (2011)
After being nearly dropped from the World Cup due to fitness issues, Yuvraj silenced critics with a Player of the Tournament performance. His ton against West Indies was pivotal in India’s title march.
Impact: A classic redemption tale that began with near-exclusion.
| Match | Opponent | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs West Indies | West Indies | 113 | ODI | Chennai | 2011 |
4. Jofra Archer – IPL 2019
Before being picked last-minute for England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad, Jofra Archer was technically dropped from the World Cup provisional list. But he used IPL 2019 as an audition tape, with searing pace and clever variations.
Impact: His IPL performance forced England to rethink and include him; he later bowled the Super Over in the final.
| League | Wickets | Economy | Matches | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2019 | 11 | 6.76 | 11 | 2019 |
3. Jesse Ryder – 104 vs India (2010)
Jesse Ryder, despite his undeniable talent, was dropped from the World Cup squad in 2011 due to off-field issues. But before that, he produced a magnificent ton against India in 2010, single-handedly anchoring New Zealand’s innings.
Impact: Highlighted how discipline and fitness sometimes weigh heavier than pure talent.
| Match | Opponent | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand vs India | India | 104 | ODI | Queenstown | 2010 |
2. Kieron Pollard – 83(31) vs New Zealand (2014)
Pollard was shockingly dropped from the World Cup squad for 2015, a decision that infuriated many fans. Just months prior, he had blasted a breathtaking 83* off 31 balls in a T20I against New Zealand, reminding everyone of his destructive power.
Impact: Showed that form and flair meant little when politics crept into selection.
| Match | Opponent | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies vs New Zealand | New Zealand | 83* (31) | T20I | Trinidad | 2014 |
1. VVS Laxman – 281 vs Australia (2001)
Though his exclusion from the 2003 World Cup squad raised eyebrows, Laxman had already made a statement that remains etched in cricketing memory. In 2001, after being overlooked in earlier tournaments, Laxman produced arguably the greatest Test innings ever, rescuing India from follow-on and turning the tide of the series.
Impact: His 281 proved that even though dropped from the World Cup, a player could redefine cricketing legacy.
| Match | Opponent | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs Australia | Australia | 281 | Test | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 2001 |
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