ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 champions who were missed

Waking out of its initial slumber, the eighth edition of Champions Trophy hosting eight super teams offered some fabulous cricket. The event did not have dearth of heroics: from Tamim Iqbal’s century in the opening game to Ben Stokes’s daring counterattack against the Aussies.

From Yuvraj Singh’s swashbuckling half-century against the arch-rival Pakistan to the tournament-defining partnerships of Shakib-al-Hasan and Mahmudullah, the tournament has engaged the viewers with performances to reminisce in times to come.

As the world rejoices the grand performances of these champions, we move our focus a bit and try to think of some others who could not make it to the tournament. The tournament would have possibly panned out differently if some of these players were part of the competition.

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#1 Rashid Khan

For the devoted fans of the game, it was a fantastic opportunity missed not having this young leg spinner on such a big platform as the Champions Trophy. Coming from an associate nation and having made his ODI debut aged 17, Rashid Khan has moved strength to strength and tricked some of the world’s best batters with his spin.

Played on placid wickets, CT has been nothing short of a nightmare for the bowlers. A mystery spinner in Rashid Khan, superlative at bamboozling batsmen with his deceptive bowling would have done a world of good to the overall quality of the cricket. It is unfortunate to miss a ‘Champion’ in a tournament named after that.

Facts that stand out for Rashid Khan

#2 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle: A true champion

Cricket lovers were struck by the misfortune of missing the Caribbean squad in this edition of CT. Not to mention, West Indies have done reasonably well in the CT across years: Runners-up in 1998, 2006 and winner of 2004.

While we miss the entertainment and style in which the team usually conducts themselves, a special mention is needed for the flamboyant Jamaican, Chris Gayle.

Chris Gayle was not only missed as the tournament's leading highest run-getter but also for the swag and power-hitting he brings to the table. Played in immensely batting friendly conditions, this CT would have been a great platform for the likes of Gayle to charm his fans with his giant hits and free-flowing batting.

With no end to the deadlock between players and the West Indies cricket board, the cricketing world is losing Gayle bit by bit with every international match.

Interesting numbers around Chris Gayle

#3 Sunil Narine

Cricketing world is deprived of Sunil Narine’s international appearances

Another West Indian, Sunil Narine’s presence would have markedly made a difference to this edition of CT not only because it has grossly been a batsman dominated affair but also for his recently discovered batting firepower.

With several deceptive guiles present in his armoury, Narine would have been extremely economical in an otherwise batting feast tournament. The fact that Narine has only played 65 ODI matches so far mostly for the wrong reasons does not help the fans.

Points that make Sunil Narine special

#4 Dale Steyn

A fierce competitor in Dale Steyn was missed

Since the semi-final clash against New Zealand in Cricket World Cup 2015, Dale Steyn has had more misses than hits in ODI appearances for SA. Going purely by the numbers, this speedster did not have many stellar performances in ODIs recently. Injuries, bad forms, rest, several factors have kept him away from South Africa’s ODI squad.

In a tournament where most fast bowlers have struggled to extract any swing out of the adamant white ball and batting friendly conditions, Dale Steyn could have heated things up a bit. What separates Dale Steyn from the others are his fierce competitiveness and subtle blowy disposition.

Cruising in his long run up, hitting the deck hard, staring at the batsman, Dale Steyn adds a degree of oomph in the game.

Facts that make Dale Steyn special

#5 Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is an icon for the associate nations

Mohammad Nabi, a dependable middle-order batsman who also bowls off-spin, is a class act who we missed in the Champions Trophy. Nabi's rise – almost in alignment with his nation's – into world stage has been astounding.

There are very few cricketers other than Nabi who deserve as much credit as him in bringing Afganistan to the centre stage of world cricket. In an event where cricket is celebrated, talent is acclaimed, leadership skills are venerated, Nabi would have proved a great ambassador of the game on the world stage.

Mohammad Nabi is a champion cricketer