Is Shikhar Dhawan another Ambati Rayudu? ODI specialist Mr ICC misses out on World Cup 2023 spot

Shikhar Dhawan has been a constant presence in the Indian top order in ICC tournaments over the last decade. The muscular southpaw will, however, not be seen in or around the India dressing room this time when India tries to lift the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on home soil. Dhawan arguably one of the greats, was one of the highest run-getters in ICC ODI events for the Men in Blue.

Another Ambati Rayudu? 4 years ago, ahead of World Cup 2019, Ambati Rayudu was not selected in the India squad after Dhawan got injured. On his place, Vijay Shankar was taken in the squad. Has the same come for Dhawan who despite still being a BCCI centrally contracted player has been overlooked by the BCCI Selection Committee?

Dhawan the ICC expert

Dhawan has always been a big-tournament player. His tryst with ICC tournaments started as early as 2013. Dhawan was adjudged the player of the tournament in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. The Delhi boy scored 365 runs in 5 innings at an average of 90.75.

ICC Tournaments	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Average
Champions Trophy 2013	5	363	114	90.75
World Cup 2015	8	412	137	51.50
Champions Trophy 2017	5	338	125	67.60
World Cup 2019	2	125	117	62.50

After such a great outing in his first ICC tournament, the expectation was mounting on Dhawan to deliver in the 2015 World Cup. He stood up to the tall ask by becoming India’s highest run-scorer and fifth highest run-scorer in the event overall. Dhawan amassed 412 runs with a highest score of 137 runs against South Africa.

Dhawan added another 313 runs in Champions Trophy 2017. By then, Indian cricket fans were chanting “Cometh ICC tournaments, Cometh Dhawan”.

Also Read: 12 years after missing WC, Rohit Sharma completes redemption to lead India in World Cup 2023

India’s ICC World Cup 2019 trophy hopes were dealt a severe blow when Dhawan was ruled out with a fractured thumb. The veteran left-hander batted through pain after being hit by a delivery from Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile earlier in the tournament. Dhawan scored a century in that match as India won by 36 runs.

Is Dhawan’s exclusion fair?

However, Dhawan’s recent form has been poor. He has not done enough to justify a place in the World Cup squad. The batter only reached double figures in one of his last five ODI innings.

“I have gone through it. I know how it is when you miss out. You have just to keep your chin up and look forward to the opportunities. But we can only pick 15 and this is the best available players for World Cup 2023,” Indian captain said speaking to the media after the squad selection.

Dhawan played his last ODI for India on 10th December 2022 against Bangladesh, scoring a paltry 3 runs off 8 balls. It would be wrong to assume Dhawan has reached his end as a cricketer as he is still centrally contracted to the BCCI though he was demoted to Grade C in 2022.

Dhawan’s chances of securing a spot in the Indian team always appeared to be slim with players like Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer available as potential openers.

Whoever Rohit Sharma picks to open the innings in the upcoming World Cup will have big boots to fill, that’s for sure as ‘Gabru’ sets on the horizon.

India Squad for Cricket World Cup 2023

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav

WKs: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (VC)

Seam all-rounders: Shardul Thakur

Spin all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin

Seamers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav