” Needs An Explanation”-Aakash Chopra On Chances Of Shikhar Dhawan Being Dropped For SA ODIs

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra said that the selectors need to come out with a ban explanation if they drop Shikhar Dhawan from the upcoming ODI series based on his form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The southpaw has endured a string of low scores in the tournament which might see him face the axe in the South Africa ODIs. While the Test squad has been announced, the ODI squad will be announced before the first ODI.

Aakash Chopra said that the selectors need to come up with a clear message and communication if they are willing to drop Dhawan.

“I know he is 36, I know you might want to look in some other direction in the future but it still needs a bit of an explanation. If you have thought about going somewhere else, let’s have a conversation, communicate it to the world and do it in a dignified manner. I will feel extremely bad if he is dropped.”

“Feel Extremely Sad For Him”: Aakash Chopra On Shikhar Dhawan

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked if Shikhar Dhawan should be selected for the South Africa ODIs based on his exceptional performances in international cricket. He replied:

“In my opinion, there should be no yardstick other than that. If you have kept someone in international cricket and he has performed well there and then if he plays four domestic matches and gets out, will you drop him? That’s hardly an excuse.”

He said that the BCCI will be shown in bad light if a player is dropped after a few failures in domestic cricket. It will also set a wrong example for players who see domestic cricket as a yardstick to make international appearances for the country.

🚨 REPORTS 🚨

South Africa series might be the last chance for Shikhar Dhawan in ODIs. Ruturaj Gaikwad might get chances after him. #INDvSA #Ashes #Ashes2021 pic.twitter.com/47IACeFlwg

— The Cricket Alert (@TheCricketAlert) December 12, 2021

“I mean you want to encourage people to go and play domestic cricket. If you drop someone after four failures because he didn’t score runs in Vijay Hazare and we don’t consider the runs you have scored for India because they were long back.”

Shikhar Dhawan in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021

Shikhar Dhawan in this Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 so far:-

0(3).
12(11).
14(22).
18(42).
12(27).

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) December 14, 2021

The former India cricketer concluded by saying, that Dhawan should not be dropped based on his recent performances in the domestic tournament. His previous performances for the national team should be considered as well.

“It is not his fault, he cannot fail in an exam in which he never appeared and if he has not failed in that exam, you cannot penalize him for that. In my opinion, the worst thing will be if you drop Shikhar Dhawan because some kids have done well in the Vijay Hazare and you have not played international cricket for a long time.”