India wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik thinks there is a good chance the Bangladesh series could be the end of Shikhar Dhawan in Indian colours. The veteran cricketer thinks Dhawan could be dropped for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in the wake of the series loss to Bangladesh.
The 37-year-old Dhawan has had a forgettable time in One-Day Internationals this year, scoring 688 runs at an average of 34.40 while striking at just 74.21. He has been dismissed in single digits in three of his last four innings.
Kishan grabbed his opportunity with both hands, hammering down 210 off 131 in the third ODI versus Bangladesh on Saturday. He became only the seventh overall and fourth Indian men’s player to score a double hundred in ODIs. Kishan also broke the record for the fastest double hundred in the process.
“For Sri Lanka series, where does Dhawan stand? It is going to be interesting to see how they are going to leave out Ishan Kishan. Shubman Gill has been doing so well. If Rohit Sharma is available, somebody has to miss out.
It could well be him (Dhawan). That could be a sad end to a glorious career. But some questions to answer for the new selectors,”
Karthik said.
Kishan isn’t the only one breathing down Dhawan’s neck. Gill perhaps has a better claim to replace the veteran southpaw for next year’s fifty-over World Cup. He has done exceedingly well in the format this year, smashing 638 runs in 12 ODIs at an outstanding average of 71 while striking at 103. Gill has registered one century and four half centuries in this period.
Karthik pointed out that if Gill wasn’t rested for the Bangladesh series, he would have replaced injured Rohit Sharma in the third ODI. But Kishan got the opportunity and nailed it in a spectacular fashion, which means Dhawan now has two threats hanging over his head.
“Interestingly, if Shubman Gill had been part of the squad, he would have probably opened because he has been doing it for some time with aplomb. Ishan Kishan, given an opportunity, has taken it with both hands. This is going to put Shikhar Dhawan in a fix.”
Karthik also praised Kishan for his post-match comments, where he said there was enough time left in the innings to get 300.
“It’s very nice to see someone coming out and being honest with the fact that, ‘you know what, I could have got a 300 if I had batted, but it didn’t happen’. Also shows his hunger. He has been walking that thin line with a few of the keepers being part of it and hence not getting that opportunity. Now, he has pushed that door and said, ‘I am ready. Are you going to look at me?”
Karthik added.
The 24-year-old Kishan put on an exhibition at Chattogram on Saturday, smashing 10 sixes and 24 fours in his sensational knock. Amidst all the carnage, Virat Kohli quietly brought up his 72nd international century – first in ODIs since August 2019 – as India posted 409/8 on the board. All the six bowlers were amongst the wickets as they skittled out Bangladesh for just 182, claiming a massive 227-run victory.
