India after losing the Test series against South Africa by 2-1 dominated in the limited overs series as they won the ODI and T20I series 5-1 and won the T20I series 2-1. Shikhar Dhawan had experienced the selector’s ax during Test series when he failed to perform in one game. However, he was back in the limited overs squad and scored some valuable quick runs but failed to convert most of them to daddy hundreds.

Legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar in his column for TOI stated that Dhawan would have to score big in order to stay in the team. He wrote, “Why Dhawan, why not Rohit Sharma? After all, Rohit played more matches than Dhawan in South Africa. Not for a moment, it is being advocated that Sharma should be dropped but it’s only to bring out that when the ax is to be wielded then Dhawan invariably tops the list.”

He further added, “That’s why the left-hander has to realize that getting brilliant 70s and 80s is not going to save his place. Only hundreds will and so like Virat Kohli hardly plays a lofted shot even in limited overs cricket and gets to 100s.”

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Shikhar took-off with his aggressive batting gives the team a good start by taking the risk early in the innings. He seems to be fearless and plays the ball on the up. Gavaskar feels he should eliminate lofted shots. Taking about the same, “Dhawan also has to ensure he eliminates the risky lofted shots and gets hundreds. His scoring rate is tremendous anyway so that will not drop down but his centuries will increase and the usual call to leave him out will decrease.”

Team India’s next project will be in Sri Lanka to play T20I tri-series starting from March 6. Senior cricketers in the team have been rested making way for young talent. Rohit will lead the team in Virat Kohli’s absence and Dhawan will be his deputy. Gavaskar reckons this would be a good platform for youngsters and even for Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik to prove their worth.

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Talking about the young brigade, Gavaskar wrote, “It is a wonderful opportunity for youngsters like Mohammad Shiraz, Rishab Pant, Deepak Hooda to serve notice of their talent and temperament, and for senior pros like (Suresh) Raina and (Dinesh) Karthik to show that their selection is justified.”

India will play the opening match of the series against the host on March 6.