India’s veteran batter Shikhar Dhawan doesn’t feel any disappointment after being left out of the T20I squad reckoning. Dhawan has all the experience under his belt but he is currently not in the scheme of things for the T20I World Cup.
The southpaw had scored 168 runs in three ODI matches against the Windies and played at the top of his game. Dhawan scored a fine knock of 97 runs in the first ODI and then contributed with 58 in the third game.
Meanwhile, it is well known that Dhawan has been a consistent performer in the major ICC events. In fact, Dhawan has also improved his strike rate in T20 cricket, which was an issue in the past. The left-hander scored 416 runs in 14 matches while playing for Punjab Kings in TATA IPL 2022.
However, India is spoiled for choices as Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are expected to be the team’s opening pair for the T20 World Cup. Furthermore, they are players like Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rishabh Pant, who are waiting in the wings.
Dhawan will once again lead the Indian troops in the ODI series against Zimbabwe in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
“To be honest. I don’t feel any disappointment as such. I feel that there is a time for everything and maybe it’s not my time. Maybe I lack something that I haven’t been able to do too well. So worries, I gave my best and that’s what matters. Till the time I am happy and content that is all I care about. It’s not like if my name doesn’t come, I will be affected or anything like that. I am in a very good space; I am doing my best,” Dhawan told Sports Tak.
However, Dhawan is not losing all hopes of making his return to the T20I squad. The left-hander is hopeful that he could make a comeback by performing well in the IPL.
“If the opportunity provides then why not? When I play the IPL, I try my best to perform. And if I do well there, I might get chances. Rest is up to the selectors… what their thought process is, what is their vision. Like I said, if it comes, great, but even if it doesn’t, that’s also fine. I am keeping myself fit and strong and whenever I get the opportunity, I am ready for it,” he added.
There is no doubt that Dhawan is one of India’s best white-ball players in the current era. However, he played his last T20I in the Indian colors in July 2021 against Sri Lanka. In fact, experts like Reetinder Singh Sodhi believe Dhawan should be part of the T20I World Cup squad.
