“Can Put Pressure On KL Rahul To Get Your Spot Back In XI” – Ajit Agarkar On Shikhar Dhawan
Ajit Agarkar said that Shikhar Dhawan doesn't seem to be doing anything wrong and he just needs to keep the pressure up on KL Rahul in the opening slot for the T20 World Cup.
Shikhar Dhawan is all set to lead team India in Sri Lanka for the upcoming ODI and T20I series. However his spot in the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in October is under doubt. Speaking on same, the former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar has said that Shikhar Dhawan’s place in India’s T20I squad is a “curious case” and he hasn’t done anything wrong to be exempted fron T20I squad.
“Shikhar played the first T20 against England and then was left out for the next four. He came back and had an exceptional IPL. Even in the previous edition, he was superb. He’s not doing anything wrong,” Agarkar told Hindustan Times.
“I think he will have to put up scores, especially in T20Is. I don’t think he is doing anything wrong in the IPL. Rohit and KL Rahul are currently ahead of him. Rahul had a pretty average series against England but otherwise, his form has been exceptional in white-ball cricket,” he said.
Shikhar Dhawan has always been the top pick opener in white-ball cricket since 2013 when it comes to white-ball cricket. However, after KL Rahul’s consistent performance in the limited overs format, Dhawan has become second choice opener. Rahul’s higher strike rate has put him ahead in the race for being Rohit Sharma’s opening partner in the T20 World Cup.
Agarkar also emphasized on how Dhawan can put pressure on KL Rahul’s place in the squad as Rohit is never going to be dropped.
“You almost felt like those two (Rohit and Rahul) had overtaken Shikhar but he keeps getting runs and that puts pressure on the likes of KL Rahul. Don’t think there is any doubt about Rohit’s place in the team, he’s the vice-captain in white-ball cricket.
“But you can certainly put pressure on Rahul and for that, you will have to score runs and that’s exactly what Shikhar needs to do to get his spot back in the XI,” Agarkar added to the Hindustan Times query.
Agarkar further added that India’s performance in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, won’t have an effect on Dhawan’s pace in T20Is and it will always about runs he scores.
“I don’t think the captaincy will change anything. Even if India win this series 6-0, I don’t think it will make a difference to his spot as far as batting is concerned. It’s the runs that will matter,” Agarkar said.
