Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Farokh Engineer is surprised by Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan‘s omission from the T20 World Cup squad.

On September 8, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a 15-member preliminary squad with three additional reserved players for the showpiece event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Many deserving players like Mumbai Indians’ duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan, who made their international debut against England earlier this year, have been included to bolster India’s middle-order line-up along with Rishabh Pant.

Shikhar Dhawan, Indian Player
Shikhar Dhawan (Image Credit: Twitter)

I am surprised that Shikhar Dhawan has been omitted: Farokh Engineer

However, there were some disheartening omissions from the World Cup squad which no one would have expected in the first place. Dhawan missing from the squad comes as not only shocking but somehow frustrating as the veteran opener was appointed as the skipper to lead India in the limited-overs leg of Sri Lanka in July.

Engineer felt that the Indian squad is well balanced but was shocked to see Dhawan missing the mark and called it a huge disappointment.

“I haven’t exactly studied it. I only heard it once. But it seems that all the top players are there. Suryakumar Yadav is in the squad, which I am really happy to see. Chahar is a very good bowler, and there is Bumrah of course. I think with Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma, the balance of the team is good. I think we’ve got a good squad,” Engineer told Sports Tak.

ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Players Such As Shikhar Dhawan Getting Dropped Is A Huge Disappointment, Says Farokh Engineer
Farokh Engineer. (Credits: Web)

“Shikhar Dhawan… well, I’m surprised that he has been omitted because he has come in and done fantastically well. But that is such a huge problem for the Indian selectors that players such as Dhawan are getting to be dropped, which is a huge disappointment, because he would walk into any international team as a batsman. He has proved himself time and again and I don’t think a player of his calibre should be on trial,” he added.

Who do you drop in place of Shikhar Dhawan?: Farokh Engineer

It seems like KL Rahul would open with Rohit Sharma in the left-hander’s absence and Engineer further questions on which player could Dhawan have replaced as both Rahul and Rohit are in tremendous form.

KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma
KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma ( AFP)

“But who do you drop? KL Rahul has done very well. He is superb; one of the best batsmen in the world, I think. Rohit Sharma is on top of his form. Still, I think it’s a very good team they have picked and I think we have every chance of winning the T20 World Cup,” Engineer said. 

India will play their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 against arch-rivals Pakistan in T20 World Cup on October 24.

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