SportsCenter's Muhammed Ashar Khan feels that the Australian team wrote its own destiny in the ICC World T20 Championship.

After the semifinals of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20, Australia had vowed to do better in the second edition of the tournament but their elimination in the group stage has come as a big surprise to everyone including the Aussies themselves.

Australia kept most of its players away from the Indian Premier League (IPL) saying that their cricketers need rest so that they are fresh for the Ashes.

Watch the highlights of the ICC World T20 games

So, probably the fact that they took Twenty20 lightly cost them a place in the Super 8.

"Australia do not take T20 seriously. They do not have a dedicated T20 team," said Sanjay Manjrekar, former India player.

"I have always said that if you play a tournament of the same format just before a big event, it always helps. Teams who had their players in IPL will benefit and Australia suffered for missing out on the IPL," said Lalchand Rajput, former India coach.

Two of the Aussie batsmen -- David Warner and David Hussey who featured in IPL II were the team's most aggressive batsmen during the group match of the World Twenty20.

Samsung LED TV CKT Widget

Skipping IPL cost Australia dear also because they did not get a chance to face tricky players like Ajantha Mendis.

"We knew Australia had not played Mendis and he was our surprise factor," said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.

Australia also ignored players like Brad Hodge, who averaged 40 in the IPL, while they sent back Andrew Symonds, who had helped the Deccan Chargers win the League title.

Perhaps it was the lack of T20 specialists in the team that saw Australia's performance take a dip the second edition of the ICC World T20.

How does it feel to watch a world championship without Australia in the fray? You know where to write in with your thoughts. Write in to us at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in