‘Shocked…’ Shikhar Dhawan Reacts To His Non-Selection In Asian Games

image-ll5c00m3Shikhar Dhawan (Twitter)

Out-of-favor cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has not played a single international for Team India since his ODI appearance in Bangladesh last December. Amidst his extensive omission from the Indian squad, the dynamic opening batter was widely tipped by many to make his return for the upcoming 2023 Asian Games in China.

However, Dhawan was yet again excluded from the line-up as the selection committee decided to select an all-young squad for the games.

After the latest snub, the batting veteran has finally expressed his first reactions, claiming that he was shocked by the selectors’ decision before ultimately accepting the verdict.

Shikhar Dhawan extends best wishes for young team

Emergence of Shubman Gill as an all-format opener reduced Shikhar Dhawan’s influence with the Indian team. Once a prominent member of the playing XI, the left-handed batter has been mostly selected to lead second-string Indian sides, especially in 2021 and 2022.

However, the cricketer faced complete isolation from the national team following India’s 2022 December tour of Bangladesh. The 37-year-old has not played a single international match since the tour, and was recently overlooked for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou.

While speaking with the PTI, Dhawan admitted that he was shocked to find out his omission from the Asian Games, but at the same time, extended his wishes to young captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and other members of the squad. He said:

“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.”

The legendary batter also added that he will keep working on his fitness in a bid to be match-fit in case he earns a callback into the team. Currently sweating it out at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he said:

“I will be ready, of course. That is why I keep myself fit. 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.”