Will Dhawan Play in South Africa Series: Former India wicketkeeper and national selector Saba Karim believes that Shikhar Dhawan might not be included in the upcoming South Africa series playing 11.
Will Shikhar Dhawan Play in South Africa Series
As the India team already have a well-settled opening batsman Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, the option for Dhawan seems to be a bit tough. That’s why Karim believes it’s pointless to take Dhawan to South Africa if he’s not going to make the final XI for the ODI series against South Africa, which begins on January 19.
“Even if Dhawan is there in the squad, will he be part of the playing XI? KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have opened in Tests and T20s, so I think they will open in ODIs as well. So, if you are including Dhawan in the squad and not playing him, should he be in the team? I don’t see the point of his inclusion, what is the need?” Karim stated this on the Khelneeti podcast on YouTube.
Karim believes Dhawan’s only advantage is his left-hand-right-hand combination with Rohit Sharma.
“The only thing possible is the left-hand-right-hand combination of Rohit and Dhawan. It has been a formidable partnership as well.”
The former BCCI general manager went on to suggest that Dhawan may find it “difficult” to make a comeback in any of the Indian sides right now.
“It would be difficult for Dhawan to come back into this side. I still think that he should be given one more opportunity because he is a big player with experience. Have to see what the selectors and the team management think,” he further added.
Team India will tour South Africa to play 3 match Test series and as many as ODI series. Virat Kohli will lead Team India for the 3 match test series where Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the series owing to an injury.
In the following 3 match ODI series Rohit Sharma is expected to return and lead the team where Virat Kohli has been opt-out of the entire ODI series.
Notably, Dhawan has been released by his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.
