Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan currently finds himself in a lean patch, India’s star batter in the ICC events is now struggling with his form and there are no doubts about it. The rise of young talent like Shubman Gill & Ishan Kishan has yet to do any good for the left-handed batter. Dhawan’s fortune has been such that he is out of the team and out of contention for the ODI World Cup in less than three months after captaining the side. Veteran opener Dhawan was promoted to the captaincy of the Indian team in June 2021 when the Rohit Sharma-less India toured Sri Lanka. An integral part of India’s leadership group, Dhawan was the seventh captain to lead India in the 2022 season. However, the senior batter has been deemed surplus to requirements in the World Cup year.
Dhawan said to PTI, “They (ups and downs) are part of life. With time and experience, you learn how to handle them easily. I find a lot of strength in them. I gave my best. If someone out there is doing better than my best, that is fine.”
He added, “That is why that person is there, not me. I am pleased and satisfied wherever I am. There is always a chance of me making a comeback to the team. It is perfect if it comes to me, but if it does not come, that is also good. I have achieved a lot in my life, and I am really happy with that. Whatever has to come will come, and I don’t get desperate about it.”
India played three ODI matches against Bangladesh and Dhawan was not part of the squad. After India’s poor performance in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, the team preferred youngsters in their squad to start fresh & strong and Dhawan certainly is not fitting the bill. The Indian opener has finally decided to speak about all that is going around his future.
Shikhar Dhawan has played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is for Team India. Dhawan made 6,793 runs for the two-time world champions in the 50-over format. He will be the senior opener in Punjab Kings (PBKS) of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The former Delhi Capitals (DC) star has made 6,243 runs in 206 IPL matches.