The selectors overlooked the 37-year-old left-hander who was expected to lead the second-string India team in China.
Senior Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan was taken aback by his exclusion from India’s Asian Games squad. However, he remains resolute in his determination to make a comeback to the national team in the near future. As the first-choice players are currently engrossed in preparations for the ODI World Cup on home soil, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has assembled a squad brimming with young talent for the Hangzhou Asian Games scheduled for September-October.
The selectors overlooked the 37-year-old left-hander who was expected to lead the second-string India team in China. He had previously fulfilled this role until 10 months ago. However, they opted for Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain instead.
“When my name was not there (for Asian Games), I was a bit shocked. But, then, I was like they have a different thought process, you just have to accept it. Happy that Rutu (Gaikwad) will lead the side. All the young boys are there, I am sure they will do well,” Dhawan told PTI on Thursday.
With Shubman Gill now partnering with Rohit Sharma at the top, it appears that the Indian team has shifted its focus away from Dhawan, who had been limited to playing in only one format until his exclusion from the ODI side after the Bangladesh tour in December 2022.
Dhawan, who has consistently been one of India’s top ODI batsmen for the past decade, remains optimistic about his future. He acknowledges that he cannot predict what lies ahead, but he is prepared to seize any opportunity that comes his way.
“I will be ready, of course (for the comeback). That is why I keep myself fit (so whenever I get a chance I am ready). There is always a chance whether it is one percent or 20 percent.
“I still enjoy training and I still enjoy the game, these are the things in my control. Whatever decision is made, I respect that,” said the southpaw who remains a centrally-contracted cricketer and spends a lot of time at the National Cricket Academy.
If the India comeback doesn’t happen, Dhawan has an IPL trophy to win for Punjab Kings. He has also expressed his eagerness to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy before the IPL.
“I have not spoken to any selector (about my future). I keep going to NCA. I enjoy my time there, the facilities are great. NCA has shaped my career and I am grateful for it.
“Also I have to prepare for the IPL. I will be playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali and, hopefully, the Vijay Hazare as well,” he said referring to the two domestic tournaments.
READ| ‘His game resembles a lot like Rohit Sharma’: Ashwin feels Tilak Varma could be the X-factor in ODI World Cup
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
