Shikhar Dhawan, India
Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo: Twitter)

With the focus now on the 2023 ODI World Cup, every match is an opportunity for all players, regardless of their past glories. India have many talented players vying for every single spot in the team, and the competition heats up every time a replacement player makes the most of his rare opportunity. India’s veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, Dinesh Karthik believes Shikhar Dhawan may be sidelined for the home ODIs against Sri Lanka.

India beat Bangladesh by 227 runs in the third and final ODI of the three-match series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday, December 10. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who came in for an injured Rohit Sharma, scored a stunning double century of 210 runs off 131 balls, including 24 boundaries and 10 sixes.

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Ishan Kishan Virat Kohli
Ishan Kishan Virat Kohli. Image Credits: Twitter

Could Be Sad End To A Glorious Career – Dinesh Karthik 

India skipper Rohit Sharma will open the innings when he is fit to play, with Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan are competing for the second spot. The 37-year-old has played the most ODIs since 2019 and has a strong record in ICC tournaments. After Dhawan’s poor batting performance in the Bangladesh series, Dinesh Karthik admitted that things were going downhill for him.

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Dinesh Karthik, ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Dinesh Karthik (Image Credit: Twitter)

“For Sri Lanka series, where does Dhawan stand? It is going to be interesting to see how they are going to leave out Ishan Kishan. Shubman Gill has been doing so well. If Rohit Sharma is available, somebody has to miss out. It could well be him (Dhawan). That could be a sad end to a glorious career. But some questions to answer for the new selectors,” he told Cricbuzz.

The next one-day series for Team India will be against Sri Lanka at home in January 2023. Sri Lanka will play three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals in India. The three T20Is will be held from January 3 to 7, while ODIs will be held from January 10 to 15.

Shubman Gill Would Have Probably Opened – Dinesh Karthik

While discussing India’s opening dilemma, Dinesh Karthik stated that Shubman Gill’s absence for the Bangladesh series helped Kishan. The Tamil Nadu cricketer praised Ishan for grabbing the rare opportunity with both hands and scoring a record-breaking double century.

“Interestingly, if Shubman Gill had been part of the squad, he would have probably opened because he has been doing it for some time with aplomb. Ishan Kishan, given an opportunity, has taken it with both hands. This is going to put Shikhar Dhawan in a fix,” he said.

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Shubman Gill Shikhar Dhawan
Shubman Gill Shikhar Dhawan. Image Credits: BCCI

“It’s very nice to see someone coming out and being honest with the fact that, ‘you know what, I could have got a 300 if I had batted, but it didn’t happen’. Also shows his hunger. He has been walking that thin line with a few of the keepers being part of it and hence not getting that opportunity. Now, he has pushed that door and said, ‘I am ready. Are you going to look at me?'”

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