Shikhar Dhawan opens up about his exclusion from T20I and Test squads

Star Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has been a regular mainstay in the ODI team ever since his emphatic comeback to international cricket in the year 2013. However, the southpaw hasn’t featured in the T20I or Test team for over a year. Speaking about his non-selection from the team, Dhawan said that he is not disappointed and feels that it just might not be his time. He believes that he’s probably lacking something.

Dhawan said that he is happy with his role and always looks to give his best on the field. He highlighted that he is in a good space and that it does not bother him when his name does not come up in T20I and ODI squads. Dhawan played his last represented India in T20I in July 2021 and in Tests in September 2018.

“To be honest, I don’t feel any disappointment as such,” Dhawan told Sports Tak. “I feel that there is a time for everything, and maybe it’s not my time. Maybe I lack something that I haven’t been able to do too well. So worries, I gave my best, and that’s what matters,” Dhawan said.

“Till the time I am happy and content, that is all I care about. It’s not like if my name doesn’t come, I will be affected or anything like that. I am in a very good space; I am doing my best,” added the left-hand batter. Dhawan was part of the ODI squad during the India tour of England as well as the West Indies.

Dhawan has scored 388 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 43.11 with four fifties in the year so far. He also captained the ODI side in the West Indies tour for three matches in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Speaking about making a comeback to the T20I team, he feels that if he performs well in the Indian T20 League, he could get an opportunity. He said that even if he does not get the chance, he is fine with it.

“If the opportunity provides then why not? When I play the Indian T20 League, I try my best to perform. And if I do well there, I might get chances. Rest is up to the selectors,” said the 36-year-old. “Like I said, if it comes, great, but even if it doesn’t, that’s also fine. I am keeping myself fit and strong, and whenever I get the opportunity, I am ready for it.”