Former India wicket-keeper batsman Saba Karim has questioned the selection of Shikhar Dhawan in the ODI squad for the South Africa series. The left-handed opener has fallen behind in the race with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul being preferred as openers across all formats as well.
With young openers like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Prithvi Shaw are doing well in the domestic circuit, the veteran has only limited opportunities in his name. Karim stated that management will already have one eye on the 2023 World Cup as well.
While speaking on the Khelneeti podcast on YouTube, Saba Karim said:
“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? The only thing possible is the left-hand-right-hand combination of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. It has been a formidable partnership as well.”
“I still think that he should be given one more opportunity” – Saba Karim
However, Shikhar Dhawan was part of the last two ODI series that India. While he had a great outing against England at home he led the second-string Indian side in Sri Lanka as well.
However, Saba Karim admitted that it would be tough for Dhawan to get a chance despite his credentials and experience. But, he also claimed that being a left-hander is the only thing that might work in his favour as well. Saba Karim further added:
“It would be difficult for Shikhar 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. I don’t think Delhi will qualify for the knockouts, so Dhawan has to prove by scoring runs and he only has one more match to do so.”
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