Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has said that Shikhar Dhawan will be keen to make a case for himself in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Dhawan is not the first choice opener for the Indian team in the shortest format of the game as KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have done a fine job while opening the innings.
However, Dhawan has been in prolific form in the last two seasons of the Indian Premier League as he has delivered the goods for Delhi Capitals. The southpaw was the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2021 before the tournament was indefinitely postponed by BCCI as he had scored 380 runs in eight matches.
Furthermore, the left-hander had scored 618 runs in IPL 2020 in 17 matches and had played a key role in taking Delhi Capitals to the final of the tournament. In fact, it was earlier noticed that Dhawan’s strike rate wasn’t impressive in the T20 format however he has made an effort to increase the same.
Dhawan scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 144.73 in the previous season of the IPL. Moreover, he scored his runs at a strike rate of 134.27 in IPL 2021.
“He (Shikhar Dhawan) has been rewarded for his consistent performances in the Indian team, especially in white-ball cricket.
But Shikhar will be very clear that he has to use this opportunity, especially keeping in mind the T20 World CUp.
There is so much competition for places. There is Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are established openers, Virat Kohli, who clearly mentioned that he wants to open in T20 format. So Shikhar has to be amongst runs,” Laxman opined on Star Sports.
On the other hand, Irfan Pathan feels youngsters will be very comfortable around Shikhar Dhawan in the upcoming limited overs series against India.
“Youngsters will be very comfortable around him (Shikhar Dhawan). As a leader, he will have a point to prove as well. He will be looking forward to not only performing but also sharing his experience with the youngsters,” Irfan Pathan stated.
Dhawan will lead India in the forthcoming series as the first ODI will be played at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo.
