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Shikhar Dhawan has not played in international cricket since July. His last assignment was a tour of Sri Lanka where he directed limited overs for a T20I and ODI series due to the lack of regular players taking part in the five-match Test series in England.
Dhawan had a mixed start on the tour, collecting 128 races – including 86 undefeated – in three ODI matches. In three T20s, he only got 86.
Although he scored 207 in eight entries in the second round of the Delhi Capitals IPL, Dhawan was left out of the 2021 T20 World Cup and T20I series against New Zealand, with selectors insisting he was “rested”.
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So when the batsman star Vijay Hazare returned to action in the Trophy, all eyes were on him.
The protagonist of Delhi, the starting batsman, however, has had an unforgettable start so far, having only made 26 races in three games. In the opening match against Jharkhand he went in search of a duck. And as Chetan Sharma, chairman of the national selection committee and IPL applicants, watched the proceedings at IS Bindra Stadium, Dhawan was ruled out for 12 in the second match against Hyderabad. However, there was hope for a return.
But on Saturday against Uttar Pradesh, his ailments continued as he was only able to give the 14-star batsman a run before Mohsin Khan caught his foot in the picturesque Sector 16 Stadium.
So where does Dhawan go from here?
With the Indian team set to play an ODI series against South Africa in January next year, a section of the cricket fraternity believed that Dhawan’s seniority and experience could come in handy. But given his shape, does he have a choice?
Former Indian batsman Anshuman Gaekwad and former head coach believes that a “good entry” for a quality cricketer like Dhawan can change everything.
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“It all depends on how the selectors see it. I think the form can change but the class is maintained, and batsmen like Shikhar just need a good start to play the season. Sometimes you have a bad patch and it has happened to the best players, including Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath. At this stage, no matter what you try, you will not get the result, ”Gaekwad said Sportsstar.
After working with several cricketers in the past, Gaekwad understands what players are going through in these difficult times.
“At times like this, it’s important to do some soul searching. You can’t tell exactly what it is – mentally or technically – and that’s what happens. You need to hang out there and make sure an entry arrives soon. If necessary, take a break and start again, ”added Gaekwad.
So what will Dhawan bring to the table if he travels to South Africa?
“His great experience,” Gaekwad said. “Okay, it’s not at its best, but then a big game like it brings that experience to the batting department, which is very crucial in South African conditions. The game could revolve around him and guide the young man as well. All he has to do is push himself back and stay in those conditions. ”
Looking closely at the selection process and group issues, Gaekwad believes that IPL numbers and some “bad” entries should not be taken too seriously.
“IPL cannot be a basis for testing or for ODI cricket, because they are all different formats. There have been many players selected in the national team based on IPL performance and many have disappeared. Now you don’t see them in any cricket mode, not even in the Ranji Trophy or the Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So that’s what you need (temperature and mentality) in international cricket, ”Gaekwad said.
“I believe in horses for courses, but at the same time you have to give importance to experience … And a player like Shikhar has that quality.”
Former Saba Karim pelota player and former national selector knows the competition is fierce, and several youngsters are competing for a slot. But he believes it is important to continue with Dhawan before the South African tour.
“That’s what makes the draw more challenging and exciting. There have been phases under Shikhar under pressure in the past, but he has come out and done quite well. These healthy competitions should encourage Shikhar to do well, ”Karim said.
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Although Dhawan has not been among the Vijay Hazare Trophy races so far, Delhi still have a couple of games left in the set. “This is a great opportunity for him to get in shape. Delhi are still two games away and if the team qualifies for the playoffs, they will have more chances. It’s a good time to get back to running. “
Karim, who until last year was BCCI’s Director General of Game Development, believes that in the ODI cricket, Dhawan “still has a lot to offer”.
“With his experience over the last few years and his performances, he remains a reliable opener. To get that left and right combination, I would go for Shikhar. I can understand that he is going through a tough phase. Sometimes you have to disconnect for a while and try to concentrate again and I’m sure Shikhar can do that, ”Karim said.
“At least for South Africa, I would still keep it in a mix and see how it goes in the next series …”
In the past, Dhawan has struggled with opportunities to make tremendous returns. With the national selectors needing some time to nominate the ODI team for the South African tour, all is not lost for the opening champions.
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