Five Players Who Have Disappointed us the Most in the World Cup

Ms dhoni and chris gayle Photos

Five Players Disappointed World Cup: After witnessing top ten teams playing against each other for over a month, we have come to the business end of the ICC World Cup 2019. There have been some spectacular knocks, phenomenal spells, and jaw-dropping catches. However, apart from all those successes, there have been a relatively equal number of disappointments as well. Not only the incessant rainfall, but a list of star players who were in spectacular form heading into the World Cup have also performed miserably in the 2019 edition of the World Cup.

Here’s a look at five top-class players who have been the biggest disappointment in the World Cup: 

#1 Chris Gayle

Five Players Disappointed World Cup: Prior to the World Cup, West Indies batsman Chris Gayle enjoyed a stellar series against England. The Southpaw struck two centuries and two half-centuries in as many as four games. He continued his form in the IPL, scoring 490 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.83. 

Chris Gayle Photo

However, the Southpaw couldn’t live up to the expectations of his fans in the ICC World Cup 2019. Gayle might be the second highest run-getter amongst his teammates in the tournament, but scoring 235 runs in seven matches at an average 33.57 perhaps doesn’t live up to his standards. There have been some close games, but West Indies have only managed to win one match in the tournament. Holder and Co. are currently languishing at the second last position with three points to their name. Having played seven matches in the tournament, Gayle couldn’t take his team home in a single match with his bat as he is indeed a big disappointment to only his nation but also cricket fans across the globe in the ICC World Cup 2019.

#2 Quinton De Kock

No team has endured more disappointments than the South African side in the ICC World Cup 2019. Of all the World Cups South Africa have played so far, the 2019 edition is perhaps the worst. It’s quite disheartening to see a side like South Africa lying at seventh position in the points table below teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Quinton De Kock Photo

The primary reason for South Africa’s defeat is Quinton De Kock’s poor run in the tournament. Before the start of the World Cup, De Kock was in the form of his life. In the series against Sri Lanka, De Kock boasted of scores like 81, 94, 121, 51, and 6. Post that, the left-hander scored as many as 529 runs in 16 matches at an average of 35.26. 

Come the World Cup, De Kock’s form fell off a cliff, as he could only score 253 runs in 8 matches at an average of 36.14. Some would argue that these aren’t bad numbers, however, for a player like him and in prime form, there were huge expectations from Quinton De Kock and the South African batsman has failed to live up that.

#3 Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada Photo

Nothing went in favour of South Africans in the ICC World Cup 2019. AB De Villiers retired months before the World Cup. Dale Steyn got ruled out after missing first two games in the WC. In addition to that, Lungi Ngidi too picked a hamstring injury in the midst of the tournament as the onus was on South Africa’s paceman Kagiso Rabada to turn South Africa’s fortunes in the tournament.

Having bowled superbly in the recently concluded IPL, Rabada has disappointed his fans across the globe with a lackluster performance in the World Cup. All those accurate Yorkers, nasty bouncers went missing as he has only managed to pick eight wickets in eight games he has played in the tournament.

#4  Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill Photo

New Zealand might have assured themselves of a semi-final spot, but their batting is perhaps still a big concern for them going ahead at the tournament. Unarguably, one of the biggest worries for them is Martin Guptill’s form. 

Guptill who enjoyed a stellar show in the 2015 edition of the World Cup has endured a lean spell in 2019.  The New Zealand batsman has scored only 158 runs in seven matches at an average of 26.33. Barring the match against Sri Lanka, where he played an unbeaten 73 run knock, Guptill’s World Cup campaign has been no less than a disaster.

#5  Mahendra Singh Dhoni 

India has been playing phenomenally in the World Cup 2019, having won six out of eight matches so far with one more to play against Sri Lanka on Saturday. While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been scintillating at the top of the order, India’s middle order woes have once again been called in question. While players like Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar displaying a below-par performance, MS Dhoni’s poor show as a finisher has made India’s middle-order look as vulnerable as ever. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni Photo

Dhoni came into the World Cup on the back of impressive performances against Australia and New Zealand, He enjoyed a wonderful IPL season, scoring as many as 416 runs in 15 matches at an average of 83.20. 

However, in the ongoing World Cup, the former skipper performance has come under the scanner. The Ranchi batsman didn’t look at easy playing spinners in the tournament. Dhoni played one of the worst innings of his career against Afghanistan, scoring 28 runs off 52 balls. Dhoni’s slow innings affected India’s run rate as India could only manage to pile up 224 runs in 50 overs which could have been more than 250. 

While Dhoni has remained unbeaten in most of the innings he has played, the former Indian skipper has been struggling to showcase the assault that he is known for.    

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