Earlier this week, the BCCI men's selection committee announced India’s squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which gets underway in India next month.
While the likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were included in the 15-member squad, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal missed out on selection.
However, it was the omission of veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan that disappointed everyone. The southpaw will be missing out on ICC ODI events for the first time in 10 years.
Despite his snub, Dhawan seems to be in great spirits. He recently extended his best wishes to the Indian team with a post on social media.
Now, a video is doing rounds on the internet in which Dhawan can be seen offering prayers at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain along with famous Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.
Speaking to the media, Dhawan said he came to seek the blessings of God and prayed for Team India's success in the forthcoming World Cup.
"Everyone's wish is that India wins the World Cup and I have also asked for the same wish," Dhawan told reporters.
While announcing India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad last month, chief selector Ajit Agarkar talked about Dhawan’s exclusion and said: "Rohit is not a bad player, Shubman has had a phenomenal year. Ishan Kishan (is another one). Shikhar has been a terrific player for India. At the moment three guys are doing well and you can fit only 15. Unfortunately someone has to sit. At the moment these are our preferred openers."
India's World Cup 2023 Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.