Vishesh Roy
After registering just 18 runs in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, there were several questions marks hanging around Shikhar Dhawan and whether the seasoned left-handed batter would be able to cement his place in the squad which is looking to get battle ready come the 50-over World Cup in 2023 on home turf. Looks like, the selectors have decided to look past the experienced batter for at least the upcoming ODIs against Sri Lanka.
It is important to state that the squad for the Sri Lanka series has been picked up by the old selection committee led by Chetan Sharma and things might change for Dhawan once the new committee is formed. However, chances of that happening look bleak for now, as there have been calls for the Indian white-ball squad to adapt to a more attacking mindset. And this is where Dhawan has been struggling off late.
Let’s talk numbers first in 2022. Dhawan played 22 ODIs, scoring 688 runs, with his highest score being 97 against the West Indies in the month of July. It is also important to state that Dhawan led Team India in the ODI series against West Indies, South Africa, and New Zealand this year. Last year, he captained in the ODIs against Sri Lanka when the main squad was in England for the Test series.
Dhawan has managed to score a few half-centuries this year, however, it is not the runs that have been the problem, it has been the rate at which he has been going. Let’s take his 97-run against West Indies, for example, he faced 99 balls to score these many runs.
This may be harsh, but in these modern times, a batter of Dhawan’s stature is expected to score at least run-a-ball.
In the series against Bangladesh, Dhawan came up with scores of 7,8, and 3, and here is how many balls he took to come up with these knocks — 7 off 17 balls, 8 off 10 balls, and 3 off 8 balls.
In his entire career, Dhawan has played 167 ODIs, scoring 6,793 runs at an average of 44.11 and at a strike rate of 91.35. However, off late, the batter has taken a lot of time to get going, and the biggest example that comes to mind is the ODI series against New Zealand.
India posted 306 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand, and the total did not prove enough as the Kiwis steamrolled India owing to brilliant knocks by Kane Williamson and Tom Latham.
However, the result of the match is not the point, Shikhar Dhawan along with Shubman Gill put on 124 runs for the first wicket, but the first 50 runs came in more than 10 overs. A ground with small dimensions needed a more vibrant and attacking approach, and Dhawan being the senior pro, should have realised that.
With Shubman Gill performing exceptionally well in the limited opportunities he has gotten to open, the pressure was always going to be on Shikhar Dhawan to perhaps change his approach. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill might be the option to go forward as both players can change gears at the drop of the hat.
Shikhar Dhawan has an exceptional record in ICC tournaments, and everyone remembers what he managed to achieve in the 2013 Champions Trophy. So to remove such a player with a proven track record ahead of the marquee event, the selectors would definitely be in a spot, but perhaps the time has come to pass the baton to Shubman Gill.