Ind vs SL Series: “Rishi Dhawan Deserves Another Opportunity to Play For Team India,” Sunil Gavaskar
Ind vs SL Series: Intriguing questions await Team India as they begin the T20I series vs West Indies. They not only need to churn out the opening combination but also find the replacement for Hardik Pandya. Team India is spoilt with choices when it comes to fulfilling the role of a fast-bowling all-rounder.
Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur have put their hand up and Harshal Patel is no sloth with the bat. Meanwhile, there is another gentleman who is knocking on the door. The right-arm pacer was picked by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022 auction. He is none other than Rishi Dhawan.
The 31-year-old who made his international debut for India in 2016, played only four matches – three ODIs and one T20I – before dropping out of contention. Rishi Dhawan made his ODI debut against Australia in 2016 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
He played three games in that series, scoring 12 runs and taking one wicket. The same year, Dhawan made his T20I debut vs Zimbabwe. Thereafter, he never wore the Indian jersey on the field.
Ind vs SL Series: Rishi Dhawan had an impressive domestic season
Rishi Dhawan has come to the reckoning for an all-rounder’s role after an impressive domestic season. Dhawan led Himachal to the Vijay Haraze Trophy title in 2021-22 with his all-around brilliance.
He emerged as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, trailing only Ruturaj Gaikwad, with 458 runs, including five half-centuries in eight innings for Himachal Pradesh at 76.33. He also took 16 wickets, finishing as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker. In India’s domestic T20 tournament ( Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021-22) Dhawan picked 14 wickets in just 6 games.
Sunil Gavaskar backs Dhawan for Team India return
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has given his opinion on Rishi Dhawan. The ex-India opener feels that the Himachal-Pradesh skipper deserves another opportunity to play for India after his fantastic domestic performance. Gavaskar also emphasized the importance of a fast-bowling all-rounder in the Indian team, crediting them with the two World Cup victories.
“Rishi Dhawan has previously played for India, probably 5-6 years back. And the way he has performed this time…you said it right, India do need a fast-bowling all-rounder. I have always said this that India’s success in World Cups…look at 1983, 1985, 2011 and 2013…whenever there is an all-rounder in the team, the captain and the selection committee have more options in hand,“
Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Tak
Gavaskar further added that if the management can speak with Rishi Dhawan about his role and he is given the opportunity, he will make the most of it.
“So the form in which Rishi Dhawan is in this season, I definitely feel that he should be given an opportunity, a responsibility and he should be told that we are depending on you and the fact that India need all-rounders, someone who can bat at No.6 or 7 and open or be the first-change bowler, if he is said this then even he would make the most of the opportunity then,”
Sunil Gavaskar
Crictips Opinion
Dhawan didn’t find a place in the ODI series vs South Africa and the limited-overs squad vs West Indies. However, the selectors are reportedly keeping an eye on Rishi Dhawan’s progress, and the possibility of him being selected for the Sri Lanka series can’t be ruled out.
