I Definitely Feel Rishi Dhawan Should Be Given An Opportunity In Indian Side: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian player Sunil Gavaskar said Himachal Pradesh skipper Rishi Dhawan should deserve an opportunity to play for the Indian cricket team after a tremendous performance in the domestic season.

The 31-year-old made his international debut for India during their tour of Australia in January 2016. He played his first ODI match in the third game between Australia and India in Melbourne, he just picked a single wicket of George Bailey in the final ODI in Sydney.

The same year, Dhawan got the opportunity to play the only T20 International match of his career against Zimbabwe in June in Harare. Thereafter the Himachal Pradesh all-rounder never wore the Indian shirt on the field.

Rishi Dhawan led Himachal Pradesh to Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22 title

Rishi Dhawan led Himachal Pradesh to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22 title with his all-round brilliance, he scored 458 runs from eight innings at an average of 76.33 and claimed 17 wickets with the ball.

Dhawan didn’t find a place in India’s squad for neither the South Africa tour nor the home white-ball series against West Indies. Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya hasn’t played for the Indian team since his T20 World Cup injury debacle.

I definitely feel that Rishi Dhawan should be given an opportunity: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar raised his voice to push the Himachal captain’s case to the Indian selectors and the former Indian captain is of the opinion that an all-rounder has always helped India win World Cups.

“Rishi Dhawan has previously played for India, probably 5-6 years back. And the way he has performed this time…you said it right, India do need a fast-bowling all-rounder.

“I have always said this that India’s success in World Cups…look at 1983, 1985, 2011 and 2013…whenever there is an all-rounder in the team, the captain and the selection committee have more options in hand,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak. 

“So the form in which Rishi Dhawan is in this season, I definitely feel that he should be given an opportunity, a responsibility and he should be told that we are depending on you and the fact that India needs all-rounders, someone who can bat at No.6 or 7 and open or be the first-change bowler, if he is told this then he would make the most of the opportunity,” he added. 

Rishi Dhawan returned back to his old IPL team Punjab Kings after the franchise bought him for INR 55 lakhs in IPL 2022 mega auction.

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