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

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Saba Karim has opined that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul who are the permanent openers of the India National Cricket Team in the Test cricket and T20 Internationals might also open the innings in One Day Internationals so there is no point in including opener Shikhar Dhawan in the ODI team for the South Africa tour.

The India tour of the South Africa series is set to begin from December 26 and it will consist of three Tests and three ODI games. Rohit Sharma who has been appointed as permanent white-ball captain will be leading the team in the ODI series.

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Saba Karim
. (Photo: Twitter)

Youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan are performing good in domestic cricket and are making a strong case for themselves for the South Africa tour. Also, with Dhawan’s poor run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a youngster might be included in the team ahead of him.

Shikhar Dhawan
(Image Credit: Twitter)

Speaking on the Khelneeti podcast on YouTube, Karim said that if India wants a left-right combination then only it makes sense to include Dhawan in the team.

“Even if Dhawan is there in the squad, will he be part of the playing XI? Rahul and Rohit Sharma have opened in Tests and T20s, so I think they will open in ODIs as well.

So, if you are including Dhawan in the squad and not playing him, should he be in the team? I don’t see the point of his inclusion, what is the need? The only thing possible is the left hand-right hand combination of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. It has been a formidable partnership as well,” he asserted.

I Still Think That Shikhar Dhawan Should Be Given One More Opportunity Because He Is A Big Player With Experience – Saba Karim

KL Rahul Shikhar Dhawan
Credits: Twitter

Karim further added that it would be difficult for Dhawan to make a comeback in the side. However, he feels that the senior opener deserves more opportunity considering his experience.

It would be difficult for Shikhar Dhawan to come back into this side. I still think that he should be given one more opportunity because he is a big player with experience.

“Have to see what the selectors and the team management think. I don’t think Delhi will qualify for the knockouts, so Dhawan has to prove by scoring runs and he only has one more match to do so,” he concluded.

Shikhar Dhawan has registered scores of 0(3), 12(11), 14(22), 18(42) in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and he will have to score big in the last game to make his case strong for the South Africa tour.

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Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.