Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Wasim Jaffer says that Shikhar Dhawan has looked rusty in the ongoing three-match ODI series against England and went on to add that hasn’t found his touch.
Wasim Jaffer on Shikhar Dhawan
Veteran batter Shikhar Dhawan who has been sidelined for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 has been included in the ongoing ODI series against England. Though Dhawan scored 460 runs in IPL 2022 he was not included in England’s T20I series.
Dhawan who plays only ODI matches for India failed to perform well in the first two games of the three-match ODI series against England.
After missing his spots in T20I and Test format Dhawan is expected to perform well in 50 over format which could pave his way into the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup scheduled to play in India during October and November 2023.
In the first ODI match at the Kennington Oval in London, Dhawan scored 31 runs and in the second match at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Dhawan scored just 9 runs where India lost the match by 100 runs.
Throwing light on Dhawan’s form, former Indian Domestic legend Wasim Jaffer said Dhawan has not been able to find his touch because he has not been playing a lot of cricket these days. READ: Dravid made a call to inform Dhawan that, he will not be in T20 plans anymore
“Very unlike batting display. Shikhar Dhawan again, although he got a not-out in the first game, he still looks rusty. He hasn’t found his touch because he hasn’t played a lot of cricket,” Jaffer said while analysing Dhawan’s batting during the 2nd ODI on ESPNcricinfo.
Recently, Dhawan had said he’s confident of getting into a rhythm soon enough.
“I understand the need to prepare well before a tour, so I make sure to keep focusing on my basics and the method of my preparation. I had been practicing for quite some time for the England ODIs and I’m sure I’ll be in fine rhythm in the coming matches,” said Dhawan as quoted by The Telegraph India.
For him the target is the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. “My focus is definitely on next year’s World Cup and for that, I want to play as many matches as possible for India and do well there. In between, there will be the IPL as well, so I will try to do well there and also look to play the domestic one day and T20 matches,” he said.
“I have loads of experience in the first place. Also, I’m quite confident about my basics and technique, which are important facets for an opener. At the same time, a calm mind helps me build my innings and convert it into a big score.
That keeps me in a good headspace.” These are all elements that India will hope for at the top of their order, with Dhawan a bank of guaranteed runs alongside Rohit Sharma, and key to India’s success in the 50-over format,” he added.
India will play the final and decider match of the ODI series against England on July 17 in Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
