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

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan might be added to India’s One Day International squad for the South Africa tour.

Dhawan, who has played 145 ODI games and scored 6105 runs, was excluded from India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in United Arab Emirates.

Shikhar Dhawan to be included for South Africa ODIs- Reports

Shikhar Dhawan, Sri Lanka vs India
Shikhar Dhawan (Image Credit: Twitter)

The 36-year-old led a bunch of inexperienced players during the Sri Lanka tour in July, where India won the ODIs 2-1 but lost the T20I series with a similar result.

According to a report from Times of India, Dhawan is likely to take his place in the ODI team even though he does not feature in T20I and Test formats.

Dhawan’s inclusion in the team could mean that Karnataka batter KL Rahul, who opens in T20Is for India, would bat in the middle order or play a finisher’s role.

Ajinkya Rahane-Cheteshwar Pujara to retain their place in Test squad-Reports

The report from Times of India also suggests that senior batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will retain their place in the Test squad.

Both the players have been the constant targets in the eyes of their critics for their batting performances and inconsistency in scoring enough runs.

Read More  Babar Azam to lead Pakistan in T20 World Cup? Shaheen Afridi kept in the dark about captaincy change
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane (Image Credit: Twitter)

Even if Rahane might get selected in the squad for the South Africa tour, he might not be able to find a game as youngsters like Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari could play ahead of him.

Iyer had an incredible start to his Test career as he scored 105 & 65 on his debut against New Zealand in Kanpur. Meanwhile, Vihari was not included in the Indian squad for the New Zealand Test series and instead was sent to South Africa to play for India A team.

The Hyderabad batter scored 151 from three innings at an average of 75.50 against the South Africa A team so far in the two unofficial Tests.

India will play against the Proteas in three Tests and as many ODI matches with the tour starting on December 26. 

Also ReadVirat Kohli Trusts His Players, Backs Him Through Thick And Thin– Salman Butt Lauds Indian Captain For Backing Ajinkya Rahane