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Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has not been included in the national team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Since then, questions are being raised on the career of 37-year-old Dhawan. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has said that Shikhar Dhawans hopes of making a comeback in the ODI squad are not over.
Sanjay Bangar replied, Talking to Star Sports, Bangar said, I am not considering Shikhar Dhawan out. He is very fit and is performing as well. Yes, he didnt score many runs in two or three series, but in those series he was the captain and winning matches with the young team. In big tournaments, the left-right hand combination proves to be very effective. The 2011 World Cup had Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, who have always been effective with right-handed batsmen.
The former coach of the Indian team replied, Bangar said that Dhawan might be called into action when players like Ishan Kishan are not available. Bangar said, I dont think Shikhar Dhawans career is over. There are still 20-25 matches to be played. If Ishaan Kishan is not available for any reason, then Shikhar Dhawan will get another chance.
The Indian team has selected a strong squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka. In this, Shubman Gill and Ishaan Kishan have been preferred to accompany Rohit Sharma at the opening. Dhawan has played the most ODIs for India since the 2019 World Cup. The left-handed batsman has since scored 1313 runs at an average of 41.03. During this, Dhawan also scored 12 half-centuries, but his strike rate (81.75) remains a matter of concern.
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Ishan Kishan scored a double century in the third ODI against Bangladesh and Shubman Gill has proved his worth with a consistent run. ODI World Cup is to be hosted by India this year, due to which Dhawans return to the national team is looking difficult. However, Sanjay Bangars thinking is different.
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Shikhar Dhawan has played 167 ODIs so far, scoring 6793 runs with the help of 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His average was 44.1 while the strike rate was 91.35.
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