Dhawan's last appearance in the 50-over format was against Bangladesh in December 2022.
In order to give opportunities to younger players, the Indian management decided to rest Rohit and Kohli for the last two ODIs. The decision backfired in the second ODI as the Men in Blue suffered a crushing six-wicket defeat.
However, the Hardik Pandya-led bounced back in the series-deciding third ODI, thrashing the hosts by 200 runs to clinch the series 2-1.
Even though India won the series, many argued that Rohit and Kohli should have played with only two months remaining for the 50-over World Cup at home.
Joining the bandwagon, former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt also slammed the Indian team management for experimenting during the series.
“In recent history, they haven’t been playing spinners quite well. They’re traditionally solid against spinners, but you don’t see that control now. It needs to be addressed. Secondly, there are too many changes on every tour. It’s about time, before the World Cup, that you know your 15, and every player knows his role. And the team plays like that," Butt said on his official YouTube channel.
“If you want to give someone rest, and try different combinations, send an A team itself. Let all players rest. If half of your first XI players are there and half are not, you can’t say that it’s your main team. Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill.. no one is new. They have double centuries in ODIs, centuries in IPL," he added.
Butt feels India still need Shikhar Dhawan at top of the order while also suggesting a call-up for Ajinkya Rahane in the ODI side.
“The way Rahane played in IPL and the way he came back in Tests, he is a possible option. And they will need Shikhar Dhawan. I don’t see any of the top-order batters, among right-handers, who can open as good as him. Either Shikhar and Shubman (Gill) can open and Rohit comes one down, or Rohit can open with Shikhar. They need experience in World Cup. They also need a guy in at no.5/6, either it’s Rahul or Rahane. When there’s pressure, the youngsters stutter. You need experience, the pressure gets to you," he opined.