IND vs SA: Dropping A Proven Indian Player On A Few Domestic Performances Would Be Very Unfair – Aakash Chopra On Shikhar Dhawan
Published - 18 Dec 2021, 04:34 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:02 AM
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has backed the selection of senior opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan for the upcoming three-match One Day Internationals (ODI) series against South Africa.
The BCCI has already announced the Test squad for the South Africa tour. However, the ODI squad is yet to be announced. Meanwhile, youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Venkatesh Iyer have performed brilliantly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and have made a strong case for selection in the ODI squad.
On the other hand senior batsman, Dhawan has scored only 58 runs in 5 VHT matches for Delhi and many believe his place in the Indian ODI team is in danger.
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In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Dhawan is ” India’s proven customer” and he should be part of the ODI squad for the South Africa tour.
“12, 8 (18), 14, 12 and 0 – that’s his last five scores in a high-scoring Vijay Hazare Trophy. Should you select him? I think he should be. Dhawan is India’s proven customer. He has done phenomenally well in One-Day cricket. He is the Mr ICC. If we look at 2023 World Cup — if he stays fit — why not?” he said.
Some People Had Insisted That Shikhar Dhawan Should’ve Even Been Selected In The T20 World Cup – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that India haven’t played many ODIs in 2021 and there is no reason to drop Dhawan from the team and he added that many even wanted Dhawan to be a part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. He asserted:
“India haven’t played much ODI cricket in 2021, so why drop him? Some people had insisted that he should’ve even been selected in the T20 World Cup. Just because Ruturaj is scoring runs, or Iyer can open, or the Rohit-Rahul pair is set.. I think dropping him would be grossly unfair.”
Chopra further added that Dhawan can be dropped from the ODI team if he performs badly and dropping him because someone else is doing better won’t be a fair decision.
“If he plays badly, you drop him. But if someone’s doing better, and then you drop him — that’s not fair. If you’re dropping a proven Indian player on a few domestic performances, that would be very unfair. I think he should be on the tour of South Africa.”
“If India is looking at a transition at some stage, please have a word with him. Communication is important — especially when you’re fading out a senior player. Do let them know, take them in confidence,” he added.
Meanwhile, the India tour of South Africa is scheduled to begin from December 26 and India will play three Tests and three ODIs in the tour and the ODI series will begin from January 19.
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India National Cricket Team India tour of South Africa 2021 Ruturaj Gaikwad Shikhar Dhawan Venkatesh IyerAbout the Author
Sonanchal Gautam is a dedicated sports journalist, content manager, writer, and editor with over 4 y... Read more
