Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif feels Shikhar Dhawan will be eyeing a spot in the T20 World Cup. Dhawan hasn’t played consistently in the T20 format as Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have grabbed their chances in the shortest format of the game.
On the other hand, Dhawan has been in sublime form while playing in the IPL and he has also increased his strike rate in the recent past. The southpaw scored 618 runs in IPL 2020 and finished as the second highest run-getter of the tournament. The experienced batsman had also scored two back to back centuries in the previous season of IPL.
Furthermore, Dhawan continued his sublime form in the first phase of IPL 2021 as he scored 380 runs in eight matches and was the highest run-getter of the tournament before it was postponed indefinitely.
Mohammad Kaif said while talking in the press conference, “Shikhar Dhawan is very excited to lead the side. He’s been there for the last many years, he’s been playing at his very best at the moment. He’s been in fantastic form in the IPL. This tour as a player and as a captain is very important for Shikhar Dhawan and then the IPL coming up in the UAE is very, very important.”
“He must be eyeing a spot in the T20 World Cup and deservedly so, he has done so well in the last 2-3 years in the IPL and domestic cricket. He was at his best last year when he got back to back centuries in the UAE, he’s still consistently hitting 600-700 runs in the IPL.”
Kaif has observed Dhawan from close corners in the IPL as DC’s fielding coach and he added that Dhawan has been in great form.
“I think Shikhar Dhawan is aware of the situation. I’ve seen him very closely recently and he’s been in fantastic form. He has upped his strike-rate as well, and he’s covered for the doubts that were being raised about that aspect lately.”
There is no doubt that Dhawan has shown great form in the shortest of the game and he can not be ruled out for the T20 World Cup as he has got the experience under his belt. If Dhawan can have a good series against Sri Lanka and follow it with a good IPL, he will certainly make a case for himself in the T20 World Cup squad.
