India squad for World Cup 2023: Why talks about Shikhar Dhawan's omission are extremely bizarre

Add as a preferred source on Google

Shikhar Dhawan has been a great servant of Indian cricket and one of the best from the country in the multi-nation events. An ODI and Test average of 44.11 and 40.61 respectively are decent enough markers to prove the kind of player he has been for India.

At age 37, the southpaw does not find himself in the mix of any format. He wasn't even picked for the India squad for the Asia Games in China. The opener has said he was shocked by the omission.

Shikhar Dhawan still has a BCCI central contract. He is placed in Grade C alongside 10 other players including Ishan KIshan, Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav who are part of India's 15-member World Cup squad which was announced on Tuesday, September 5.

Dhawan's record in ICC and multi-nation events has carved a special place in the hearts of the fans for him. In the 10 World Cup matches Dhawan has played till date, he has scored 537 runs at an average of 53.70 and at a strike rate of 94.21. He has three World Cup hundreds to his name. His last World Cup outing which was against Australia saw him score a match-winning 117 despite a broken thumb which allowed him to play only two matches in the 2019 World Cup.

In 10 matches in the ICC Champions Trophy, he has scored 701 runs at an average of 77.88 and a strike rate of 101.59. In nine Asia Cup matches, he scored 534 runs at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 91.43.

"You can think about Shikhar Dhawan. He was our ODI giant. He has been a significant figure in the format for India, earning the nickname "Mr. ICC" for his consistent performances in ICC tournaments. Even though he's not occupying our mind space right now, Shikhar Dhawan has done everything to find a place in an ODI setup," Aakash Chopra told JioCinema on Tuesday.

However, talking about his omission at this moment is bizarre. Here's why.

Why talks about Shikhar Dhawan's omission is bizarre

Shikhar Dhawan was never in the scheme of things. Had he been, he would have found himself sitting in Colombo with India's Asia Cup 2023 squad. His omission from the Asia Cup squad would have dashed the hopes of the experienced Delhi batter himself.

Rohit Sharma's long-time opening partner last played an ODI for India in December during the bilateral series against Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill - the current two India openers were not part of the series as Dhawan opened alongside Ishan Kishan who has emerged as India's third-choice opener.

Shubman Gill has been preparing for the opening role at the 2023 World Cup for over a year now. His rapid rise in the format has seen him score 1514 runs at an average of 63.08 in 29 matches. In India, the venue for the upcoming ICC event, Gill has scored 704 runs in 12 matches at an average of 704. He also has an ODI double hundred to his name.

Ishan Kishan also scored the fastest ODI double hundred recently and he has been marked as a backup wicket-keeper batter and the third-choice opener for a period now. KL Rahul, who now plays in the middle-order, is another opening option.

Shikhar Dhawan could have been in this squad but his future was decided long ago. He was never in the scheme of things and his omission isn't at all a surprise.

Shikhar Dhawan himself does not play any domestic cricket and focuses on his business ventures when not playing in the IPL. Talks about him with regard to his place in the World Cup squad is extremely bizarre.