With the increasing popularity of T20 leagues and T20Is, clouds are hovering over the future of ODI cricket. Many feel that the 50-over format is time consuming and want the ICC to completely get rid of it.

England Test skipper Ben Stokes’ retirement from ODIs last month also added fuel to the fire, with many suggesting that the 50-over format badly needs an alteration to attract the audience once again.  

See Also: "I think one-day cricket is dying a slow death", opines Usman Khawaja

Amid the debate, India opener Shikhar Dhawan has come out in support of ODI cricket, saying that he enjoys playing this format and it has its own charm.

“I really enjoy playing ODI cricket. It’s an art and still has charm. I love playing it. Like Test and T20 have their values, ODI cricket is also exciting. I really like it,” Dhawan told The Indian Express.

The southpaw has lost his Test spot back in 2018 and getting overlooked from the T20I side for quite a while now. The 36-year-old is being picked only in the ODI squad but he is not losing sleep over his exclusion from the shortest format.

“I honestly don’t know about it, maybe it could be the reason. I don’t want to go deep about it… I have not played T20 for India for a long time now, I don’t know where I see myself. I look to make the most out of every opportunity I am getting. Be it IPL, domestic cricket, or ODI, I just want to do well, and that is the only thing under my control.”

Dhawan also extended support to Virat Kohli, who is enduring an extended lean patch with the bat for quite some time. The owner of 70 international centuries, Kohli’s last hundred came back in November 2019.

 As a result, his place in the team has been questioned by some former cricketers, including the legendary Kapil Dev.

“Virat is just one inning away and he is a champion player. I am sure he will come back soon. Once he starts going, there is no stopping for him,” Dhawan said.

Shikhar Dhawan also shared his thoughts on India’s dressing room atmosphere under the tenure of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid.

“Yes, every individual is different, their energy is also different. When Ravi Bhai was there, the atmosphere was different. Rahul Bhai has a different atmosphere. I had a great bonding with Ravi Bhai back then and I would say my chemistry is excellent with Rahul Bhai too. I really enjoy working with him,” he said.

(The Indian Express inputs)