Former Indian cricketer WV Raman believes that Shikhar Dhawan needs to be a bit more patient and ensure that he makes the best possible use of the upcoming white-ball matches in Sri Lanka to make his case strong to be in the mix for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looking set to open for India in the T20 World Cup 2021, the former Women’s team coach suggested the opener to be more patient to regain his consistency in order to put the ball in the selectors’ court for the selection with his performance in Sri Lanka.
Raman told TOI, “In the case of Shikhar, it is a case of retaining his competitive edge, waiting and watching as to how things pan out. Unlike others, Shikhar needs to be a bit more patient and needs to try and ensure that he makes the best possible use of these matches and put the ball in the selectors’ court.”
He also said the upcoming white-ball series comprising 3 ODIs and as many T20Is starting on July 18 is also crucial for Prithvi Shaw and the young opener should make the most of the opportunity.
Raman further added, “He is a quality player and this tour is an opportunity for him to gets runs against an international side.”
As Rahul Dravid will be making his debut as head coach for the Indian cricket team in the upcoming Sri Lanka series, it will be the equally significant tour for the legendary batsman and Raman said India’s full-time coaching is on the cards for the former captain in the near future.
He said, “It (Dravid becoming a full-time coach) is likely to happen. There is no saying as to when it will, but I will be surprised if it doesn’t happen sometime in the (near) future.”
On former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga’s “second-string Indian side” comment, Raman said one must have exercised caution while making such statements on the touring side.
He signed off by saying, “Ranatunga has been an integral part of Sri Lanka’s success and well within his limits to express his disappointments in any which way about his own cricketing board and cricketing system. But he must probably be a bit choosy when he starts to describe a visiting team or the members of the visiting team.”
(With Times of India Inputs)
