IND vs BAN: "If The Team Management Still Thinks That 275-300 Is Their Target, You Need Shikhar Dhawan": Saba Karim

Saba Karim believes that in ODI cricket, Team India only needs Shikhar Dhawan if they are content with 275-300-run totals.

On Saturday, December 10, Dhawan hit three runs off eight balls in the final One-Day International against Bangladesh in Chattogram. In contrast, his opening partner Ishan Kishan smashed 210 runs off only 131 balls as the Men in Blue set the hosts a gigantic 410-run mark and went on to win by 227 runs.

IPL 2023 | India tour of Bangladesh 2022 | Dream11 Prediction | Fantasy Cricket Tips | Cricket Match Prediction Today | Cricket News | Cricket Live Score | Sri Lanka tour of India 2023 | New Zealand tour of India 2023

Saba Karim was asked if he anticipated Dhawan playing 50-over cricket during a conversation on Sony Sports, to which he replied: “It will be up to the team management to decide what kind of cricket they want to play. If the team administration still believes that 275-300 is their target, then Shikhar Dhawan is the player to have.”

Saba Karim believes the experienced opener does not deserve a berth in the playing XI if India is to score more than 325.

IPL 2023 Auction | IND vs BAN 2022 | India vs Bangladesh 2022 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs SL 2023 | India vs Sri Lanka 2023 | IND vs NZ 2023 | India vs New Zealand 2023

“It’s a different story that he hasn’t scored a run this series. But if you give him another chance and tell him that we only need to score 275-300, Shikhar Dhawan’s spot will be secure until the World Cup. But if we’ve decided that our par score would be 325-350, Dhawan is out.”

“Dhawan cannot play substantial knocks”: Saba Karim

Saba Karim believes Dhawan is incapable of playing significant knocks with high strike rates.

“So a lot will depend on the selectors and the team management, the captain, and your expectations. It is unrealistic to expect Shikhar Dhawan to hit a big knock at a strike rate of 130-140 in a 350-run game.”

This year, Dhawan’s strike rate of 74.21 is not impressive for runs scored. When compared to the previous six years, when he had a strike rate of more than 90, the left-handed opener’s rate of scoring has drastically decreased.

Also Read: IND vs BAN: Ishan Kishan Is Competing With Rishabh Pant And Others For A Position: Salman Butt