ICC World Cup 2023: "You Carry Our Hopes..." - Shikhar Dhawan's Blockbuster First Reaction After Being Ignored For World Cup

Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan reacted to Team India’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023. He congratulated his fellow teammates for getting selected for the main event and backed them to win the tournament. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday (5th October) announced the provisional 15-member squad for the ICC World Cup 2023. Shikhar Dhawan, who hasn’t played an ODI since December last year, was ignored by the selectors despite having a fantastic record in ICC events. 

Shikhar Dhawan was dropped from the team due to his poor form in the ODIs. He last played for the team against Bangladesh in December 2022. Before getting dropped he averaged in 20s and therefore was replaced by Shubman Gill in the team. The youngster took his chances and locked his spot in the team. 

This will be, however, the first time Shikhar Dhawan won’t be part of 50 overs ICC events in 10 years. The senior opener is the only player to average 65+ in ODI format ICC events. Also, him being a left-hander at the top benefitted India a lot. 

However, despite not being selected, Shikhar Dhawan posted a congratulatory message for his teammates. He urged them to make the whole nation proud. Taking to his X account, he explained: 

“Congratulations to my fellow team mates & friends chosen to represent India in the WC 2023 tournament! With the prayers and support of 1.5 billion people, you carry our hopes and dreams. May you bring the cup back home ? and make us proud! Go all out, Team India.”

Congratulations to my fellow team mates & friends chosen to represent India in the WC 2023 tournament! With the prayers and support of 1.5 billion people, you carry our hopes and dreams.
May you bring the cup back home ? and make us proud! Go all out, Team India! ??… https://t.co/WbVmD0Fsl5

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) September 6, 2023

ICC World Cup 2023: India squad for the ICC World Cup 2023; Shikhar Dhawan Misses Out 

Rohit Sharma will be captaining the team with Hardik Pandya being his deputy. From the Asia Cup squad, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson have been dropped. Notably, Sanju was kept as backup in the Asia Cup squad. Here’s India’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.