Shikhar Dhawan’s career as an Indian cricketer has become a topic of discussion as he has been overlooked in the T20I side for some time now after losing the Test spot three years back.
Dhawan’s last appearance for India was in July 2021 when he led the white-ball side on the tour of Sri Lanka, in the absence of regular players who were playing the Test series against England.
Despite being the fourth highest run-getter (587 runs) in the 2021 edition of IPL, Dhawan couldn’t find a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad. The southpaw was left out of the home T20I series against New Zealand as well.
With the Indian team set to play a three-match ODI series against South Africa next month, it will be interesting to see whether the selectors show their faith in the 36-year-old keeping in mind the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Meanwhile, Former India batter Anshuman Gaekwad wants Dhawan to be included in the squad although the left-hander is having a tough time in the ongoing Hazare Trophy.
Playing for Delhi, the opening batter has amassed 26 runs in three games so far.
“It all depends on how selectors look at it. I believe form can change but class remains, and batters like Shikhar need just one good innings to strike form. Sometimes, you have a bad patch and it has happened to the best of the players, including Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath. In that phase, no matter what you try, you just don’t get the result,” Gaekwad told Sportstar.
“In such times, it is important for some soul searching. You cannot exactly pinpoint what it is - whether it is mental, technical- and such things happen. You have to hang in there and ensure that one innings comes soon. If need be, take a break and start afresh,” the former India coach added.
According to Gaekwad, Shikhar Dhawan’s experience will benefit the Indian team immensely.
“His massive experience,” Gaekwad said. “Okay, he is not in best of forms, but then a big match player like him brings that experience in the batting department, which is very crucial in the South African conditions. He could revolve the game around him and also guide the youngster. Just that, he has to back himself and hang in there in those conditions.”
Former wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim also echoed Gaekwad’s viewpoint, saying there might be a competition for the opening slot but India should persist with Dhawan ahead of the South Africa tour.
“That’s what makes the draw more challenging and exciting. There have been phases in the past when Shikhar has been under pressure, but he has come out and has done quite well. Such healthy competitions should spur Shikhar to do well,” Karim said.
He reckons that Dhawan “still has so much to offer” in ODI cricket.
“With the kind of experience he has over the past several years and the kind of performances he has put in, he remains a reliable opener. To get that left-hand, right-hand combination, I would still back Shikhar. I can understand, he is going through a tough phase. At times, you need to unwind a little bit and try and focus again and I am sure Shikhar can do that,” Karim said.
“At least for South Africa, I would still keep him in the mix and see how it goes for the next couple of series…”
Shikhar Dhawan has played 145 ODIs for India so far, scoring 6105 runs at an average of 45.55 with 17 tons and 33 half-centuries.
(Inputs from Sportstar)
