The year 2020 is marked by hiccups and roadblocks disseminating across the world. The sporting calendar went for a complete toss leaving the ardent fans emotionally paralyzed. As far as the cricketing world is concerned, International matches walked on the road to recovery after a five-month hiatus. England and West Indies embraced the ‘new normal’ with open arms in the middle of the pandemic.

Needless to say, the pandemic-hit year finds its place in the darkest chapters of humanity. However, cricketers learned lessons as they found the silver-lining amidst the murky clouds. From the Basil De Oliveira Test series between South Africa and England to the India tour of Australia Down Under, the 12-months saw many cricketers stealing the spotlight whereas some taking refuge behind the curtains of ordinary rendition.

As we inch closer to the end of the year, let us rewind the clock and assess which players failed to stamp their authority on the 22-yards despite given plenty of opportunities. Interestingly, the heavyweight Virat Kohli has found it precarious to notch a century in this annum. Let’s see whether the Indian skipper breaks into the not-so-impressive list of professionals.

Here is the list of Flop Test XI in the year 2020

1. Prithvi Shaw

The Mumbai-based batsman Shaw is hailed as a replica of the Indian stalwart Sachin Tendulkar. In his debut match against the Caribbean nation back in 2018, Prithvi Shaw stitched a scintillating century showing his craft to the world. His ability to hit conventional shots with ease makes him a class-apart batsman. However, the 22-year-old has been struggling with his form significantly.

In the 2-Test series against the black caps earlier in 2020, he managed to score only 98 runs as an opener. India lost the series comprehensively as he grappled to play against the bowling-friendly pitches. Moreover, the youngster continues to grapple with his consistency against the mighty Aussies recently. In the Adelaide Day/Night Test match, Prithvi’s bat remained muted as he failed to reach double-digits in both the innings.

With the legend Sunil Gavaskar pointing out some glaring mistakes in his batting technique, the time has come for the novice to burn his midnight oil in order to remain relevant in the race against the best. Hence, he takes the opening position in the flop XI.

2. Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal has established himself in the international circuit after some great knocks in the home season in 2019. He stormed into the national side against the Aussies in the away series in 2018-19. After scoring poised fifties against the lethal bowling line-up, the 29-year-old cruised into the Indian cricket team as a mainstay. Till now, the top-order batsman has racked 1000 runs in 12 red-ball matches.

However, he could not live up to the billings this time around. As an opener alongside Prithvi Shaw, his bat remained calm in the away series against the kiwis. The Karnataka-based batsman scored only 102 runs. Hence, he failed to give a good kickstart to the Indian batting innings. Talking about the first Test at Adelaide Oval, Mayank remained off-colored scoring only 26 runs after the end of the two innings.

Hence, he secures the opening slot pairing up with his compatriot in this mundane list of flop players XI. It will be exciting to watch out whether the highly talented Mayank makes it big in the times to come or not.

3. Joe Denly

The England-based batsman has a lot of untapped potential within him. Joe Denly upped his ante at the age of 32 years as he stormed into the national side against West Indies in 2019. Denly finally got his hands on the England Test cap in 2019, at the age of 32. However, he struggled to make much of an impact on grassy surfaces, scoring 112 runs across 4 innings at a commendable average of 28.

The batting all-rounder could not grab the headlines owing to ordinary performance with the willow. He failed to pull out something “mesmerizing’ from his bat in the entire year. His runs-tally reads out 176 runs at an average of 25. In 4 Test matches. Despite given chances to the right-hander, he failed to stage a good performance disappointing his fans and England cricket team.

Hence, he walks down at Number 3 in the flop XI list. Time will tell whether the aging player bags another chance to don the white jersey in the upcoming years or not.

4. Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor has been the shining light in the kiwi cricketing landscape. His debut marked the emergent of a modern maestro for the New Zealand cricket team. In 103 Test matches, he has piled up 7286 runs at an average of 45.25. Moreover, he hogged headlines after he smothered 290 runs against heavyweight Australia. The experienced batsman has seen highs and lows in his cricketing career. Currently, he is facing the heat for his slew of poor performance with the bat.

In 5 Test matches, Taylor has stitched as many as 155 runs at an average of 25.81 this year. Hence, the statistics reflect his apparently out-of-form phase in any cricketer’s life. Moreover, he managed to score 50-odd runs in 2 outings against the Caribbean nation in the Test series recently.

Therefore, Ross takes over the 4th number position as he can aid the team whenever it steps into an ordeal situation. It goes without saying that the 36-year-old is just an innings away from getting his form back in his wrist.

5. Asad Shafiq (C)

Asad Shafiq bagged a major feather in his cap when he broke into the Pakistan cricket team on the back of some fine innings in the domestic circuit in 2010. The formidable batsman adds the right balance to the middle order unit. The 34-year-old has featured in 77 Test matches as of now. Scoring at an average of 38.2, Asad has garnered 4660 runs laced up with 12 hundred and 27 fifties.

Talking about his ordinary turn of events this year, the right-hander managed to produce only 132 runs in 4 Test matches. His inconsistent form has cost the Pakistan cricket team some precious matches. In the 3rd Test match against England, he collected only 26 runs in both the innings. Eventually, he was unable to play his role to perfection throughout the year.

Therefore, Asad takes over the 5th position as a player tasked up with the responsibility of bailing out teams under pressure. It is yet to be seen whether the experienced batsman taps into the right mode in the upcoming high-octane series or wane away with time.

6. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)

Mohammad Rizwan climbed the ladders after hard-fought battles on the cricketing turf during the initial days of his career. The wicket-keeper batsman boasts a short-stint in International cricket as of now. Having played 9 Test matches, the 28-year-old has scored 386 runs at an average of 35.

Looking at his performance in 2020, Rizwan has found it tough to hit the right chords in the longest format of the game. In 4 appearances, the rookie has notched 170-odd runs showing the lack of intent as he succumbed against the pace artilleries of foreign lands.

Subsequently, he takes on as the wicket-keeper batsman at the 6th slot. He is expected to add 60-70 runs to the team’s scoreboard. It will be ecstatic for the fans to look at how the future prospect of the subcontinent nation unfolds in the years to come.

7. Alzarri Joseph

The Caribbean superstar bagged the International cap for his dual role of batting as well as bowling prowess. Alzarri Joseph made an aggressive impact in the limited-overs format without a shade of doubt. Till now, he has featured in 13 Test matches for the West Indies cricket team. The 24-year-old has bagged 32 wickets at an economy of 3.33 contributing to the team immensely.

In this year, he could not adapt to the foreign situations which were evident in his performance inevitably. The speedster failed to find the right rhythm. As a result, he could scalp only 7 crucial breakthroughs much to the team’s disappointment.

In the 2nd Test match against New Zealand, Alzarri managed to seal only 3 major heads to his name. Therefore, he breaks into the flop XI squad owing to his slew of ordinary rendition with leather on consecutive occasions. However, time will speak whether he reaps dividends to the team’s investment in him.

8. Ajaz Patel

Ajaz Patel is another New Zealander who has cemented his position in this shoddy list. The Mumbai-born cricketer has walked the extra mile to represent the black caps on a regular basis. The promising tweaker bagged the kiwi cap against Pakistan in 2018 on the back of a brilliant domestic performance. In his 9-match red-ball career, he has given major breathers to the Kane Williamson led to side with 22 wickets.

However, the 32-year-old could not become a mainstay.  He was dropped after the first Test match against India earlier in the year. The left-arm spinner failed to grab a single wicket which ultimately led to his ousting out from the team of professionals.

Eventually, he holds the 8th slot as a spinner who can deceive batsman with his profound craft. It is yet to be seen whether the New Zealand team ropes the 32-year-old into the team in the upcoming year or all his doors have been closed.

9. Dwaine Pretorius

The lethal bowler, Dwaine Pretorius was successful in impressing the eyes of South African team management. He made his way into the national team against England in 2019. The 3-match short career has a lot to prove in the times to come. Till now, the right-arm quick has rolled his arms successfully bagging 7 wickets to his names.

Due to his inability to show the spark of brilliance in the initial days of his career, he grabs the 9th slot as a rookie. Needless to say, the 31-year-old has a long way to go only if he remains consistent with his wicket-taking ability in upcoming clashes against the World’s best cricket teams.

10. Vernon Philander

Vernon Philander has shown glimpses of brilliance plenty of times with the red leather. The skipper’s favourite represented the rainbow nation for the first time against Australia in 2011. The pacer has a topsy-turvy career which has seen a few in and outs in his stint with the national team. In 64 Test matches, the bowling all-rounder has accumulated a whopping 224 wickets laced up with 13- 5Wicket Haul to his name.

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old experienced a major upset as he could trammel only 2 wickets against the three lions earlier in the year. All in all, he scalped only 10 wickets in 6 matches this time around. As his career inches towards dusk, he needs to overhaul his bowling skills in order to remain visible in the eyes of team selectors amidst a wave of young talents hitting the deck comprehensively.

Therefore, he fills in the 10th spot as a pacer who can dominate the opposition batting line-up single-handedly. It is to be seen whether Philander gets his bowling trajectory back on track in the upcoming International Test matches or the skipper finds someone better than him.

11. Mohammad Abbas

Mohammad Abbas flaunts a decent career for the Pakistan cricket team. He was roped into the national side after a consistent performance in the domestic circuit in the cricket-freak nation. Out of 21 Tests which he has played till now, the 30-year-old has grabbed 80 major wickets making him a famous name in the cricketing arena. However, things did not go his way in 2020.

He remained off-colored throughout the year as a result he failed to produce a fifer till now. For his atrocious speed and swing, Abbas gets the 11th slot with an intent to turn the tables on the team’s side single-handedly.

The tireless workhorse remains the biggest resource for the flop XI.