Veteran Indian cricketer and star opening batter Shikhar Dhawan opened up on social media after he was excluded from India's 15-member squad for the highly-anticipated ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Despite the setback, Dhawan exuded sportsmanship by congratulating his fellow teammates. He voiced his undying support for Team India, encouraging them to clinch the coveted trophy and elevate national pride.
Taking to Twitter, Dhawan wrote, "Congratulations to my fellow teammates & friends selected to don the Indian jersey in the WC 2023 championship! Upholding the dreams and aspirations of 1.5 billion Indians, may you bring glory to the nation. Give it your all, Team India! #ChakDePhatte #WorldCup2023."
The omission of Shikhar Dhawan was officially confirmed when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rolled out their provisional squad list for the global cricket spectacle on October 5. Despite boasting an impressive track record in international cricket and specifically in ICC tournaments, Dhawan found himself on the sidelines this time around. He last participated in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022, and his recent performance in the one-day format has been less than stellar.
Dhawan, renowned for his agility and consistent performance, was sidelined due to a declining batting average that had plummeted into the 20s. Consequently, young talent Shubman Gill seized the opportunity, effectively filling the void and securing his position in the starting XI.
This development marks a significant moment for Shikhar Dhawan as it ends his ten-year streak of participation in ICC 50-over events. He has been a linchpin for Team India in the past, scoring an impressive 537 runs in just eight innings across two ODI World Cups in 2015 and 2019. Notably, his average jumps from 44.11 to a whopping 53.70 when it comes to World Cup matches. Furthermore, he has etched his name in cricket history books by scoring three centuries and one fifty in World Cup games, thereby averaging a score of 50 or more every two innings, compared to his career average of achieving this feat every three innings.
Dhawan's absence from the 2023 World Cup roster has stirred a plethora of emotions among cricket aficionados, but his magnanimous gesture of extending support to his teammates exemplifies the true spirit of the sport.
India's squad for ODI World Cup 2023:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
'Don't get fooled by overall averages': Srikkanth doesn't feel Thakur is an all-rounder, questions selection in World Cup squad
Asia Cup 2023: Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah's pace troubles Bangladesh batters, Pakistan start Super Fours with easy 7-wicket win in Lahore
Former Sri Lanka and KKR spinner arrested over match-fixing charges
Harbhajan Singh shocked to see India’s ‘Pure Match Winner’s’ exclusion from World Cup squad
