Team India’s star opener Shikhar Dhawan has been axed from Team India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in January.
Shikhar Dhawan just after being dropped from the ODI squad has shared a video with an emotional message.
Disappointed Shikhar Dhawan after ODI snub shares an emotional message
Shikar Dhawan has been one of the most vital parts of the Indian ODI setup right since 2013 where he put on a strong batting display in the Champions Trophy. Since then he has performed really well in almost all major tournaments but it looks like things have become tougher now for the stalwart opening batter.
The ODI series against Sri Lanka will start from January 10 and features all senior players of the Men in Blue apart from Dhawan who failed to impress in the last two series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. The senior opener has also received some criticism for his low strike rates and lack of intent.
On December 28 After getting dropped from the ODI squad, Dhawan shared a video of himself training. The star batter added an emotional caption to the video, “It is not about winning or losing, it is all about your guts. Keep working hard and leave the rest in the hands of God.” However after the video went viral on social media platforms, the 37-year-old batter deleted it from his Instagram account.
There were speculations about Team India needing a much more positive approach at the top to exploit the powerplay overs in the ODI format. Ishan Kishan was given an opportunity in the third ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram where he unleashed hus potential and scored a double ton in just 126 deliveries. On the other hand, Punjab batter Shubman Gill too is consistently scoring runs for the Indian Team at the top.
With young batters like Gill and Kishan knocking the selectors’ door it will be difficult to include Dhawan back into the squad until and unless he proves that he can bat with some positive intent that will help the Indian team in the ODI World Cup in 2023.