After the final T20I between India and South Africa in Bangalore on Sunday, June 19, was washed out, the two teams wrapeed up their series with a 2-2 draw. Their next challenge will come against Ireland at the end of next week, and selectors have decided to recall youngsters Umran Malik, Rahul Tripathi and Arshdeep Singh for the upcoming series. Veteran Dinesh Karthik and all-rounder Hardik Pandya also made their national team returns, with the latter named as the captain for the series against Ireland.
But one player whose name remains out of the list is Punjab Kings (PBKS) opener and veteran batter Shikhar Dhawan. The 36-year-old was inconsistent through the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, scoring 460 runs in 14 games for his team. He had gathered 587 in IPL 2021 and 618 in IPL 2020. But despite leading India on a tour of Sri Lanka in 2021, Dhawan as omitted from the squad of the last ICC T20 World Cup, hosted by India in Dubai.
One legend of the game has resigned himself to the fact that Dhawan might not be making a comeback to the T20I squad anytime soon, especially after missing out on the home series against South Africa. When asked whether Dhawan will get the nod for the T20I showpiece event in Australia, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar shared his apprehension.
"No. I don't see his name popping up. If it had to pop up, it would have been in this squad. A lot of guys have gone to England and he could have been in this squad. If he is not in this squad, I don't see him ending in the mix (for T20 World Cup)," Gavaskar said in an interaction on Star Sports during the game.
Gavaskar went on to choose Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as India's two openers for the T20 spectacle in be held in October-November. India skipper Rohit took a break after a dismal IPL season with Mumbai Indians (MI), while KL Rahul was set to captain India during the South Africa T20Is before a groin injury ruled him out of the series. "My opening combination would have KL Rahul if he's fit and Rohit Sharma alongside him," added the batting great.
Gavaskar's sentiments were also shared by former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, who said that the above-mentioned opening pair for India have been 'outstanding' in their role. "I will go with Sunny. They are outstanding players. Rahul and Rohit have done the business consistently and they are outstanding at the top of the order for India," agreed Smith.
