India and Bangladesh are facing each other in the third and final ODI of the series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. After losing the first two matches, the ‘Men-in-Blue’ are desperate to save their pride and avoid a whitewash in the last game. Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to ball first as Indian openers Ishan Kishan and Shikhar Dhawan walked out to the middle to give a solid start to their team.
Both Kishan and Dhawan were cautious at the start and paid respect to some tight bowling by Bangladesh seamers. However, Dhawan looked to be completely struggling as he failed to find the middle of the bat. His struggle was finally ended by Mehidy Hasan Miraz who was brought into the attack in the fourth over.
The left-handed opener got struck onto his pads on the first ball of the over as he played for the turn but the ball went with the arm. The on-field umpire Michael Gough shook his head to signal not-out as the bat was close to the pad. The confident Bangladesh captain went for the review and the third umpire ruled that the ball touched the pad first. The three-reds on ball-tracking meant that Dhawan had to walk back towards the pavilion scoring just 3 off 8 balls.
Shikhar Dhawan’s worst year in ODIs since 2013
With this knock, a string of low scores continued for Dhawan who managed to score just 18 runs in three innings in the series. The Southpaw has been struggling to get going in the only format he plays for India as he has just one 50-plus score in his last 11 ODI innings which came against New Zealand in the first ODI of the series last month.
The 37-year-old has scored 688 runs in 22 innings in ODIs in 2022 at an average of 34.40 and a below-par strike rate of 74.21. It’s his worst average and strike rate recorded in a year since his return to the Indian team in 2013. The Delhi batter has six half-centuries to his name in this year.
As Dhawan’s bad form continued Twitter was abuzz with reactions. Here are some of the Tweets:
Jab India ke pass Ishan kishan jaisa best batter tha toh captain ne 1st aur 2nd odi me kyon nahi khilaya? Shikhar Dhawan ne 3 ODI mein jitne runs banaye usse bhi jyada ishan kishan ne 1 hi match mein banaye.
— Drx.Ashwini_M_Dahibhate?? (@DChakuli) December 10, 2022
@BCCI Giving chance to Shikhar Dhawan again in any game or any cricket series would be injustice to the young talented players waiting for their opportunities in the playing eleven.
Pathetic , disappointment full performance by Shikhar Dhawan in the series. That costed us series
— Brimwins mnk (@brimwins) December 10, 2022
Why is #BCCI rubbing dead rubbers unnecessarily like #ShikharDhawan #KLRahul when fearless youngsters #ishankishan #RahulTripathi #sanjusamon & many are oozing with talent and attitude.
#RishabhPant out of form for now .. perform in First Class & come back.
Just FIX IT ?
— PK (@PK_Shadow_3) December 10, 2022
@SDhawan25 what happened with u sir consistently poor performance
— KUNAL PANWAR (@kunalpanwar7611) December 10, 2022
Players like @ishankishan51 will fail in some games. But if he plays, he will dictate the game on his own. Total dominance. Time has come to include these guys in ODIs as well. Need to take call on @SDhawan25 as his strike rate doesn't meet with the current brand of cricket.
— ?? ?????????? (@azharsays_) December 10, 2022
Thank you very much for your services Gabbar @SDhawan25 Let's retire gracefully & give chance to others. @BCCI
— Suvrodeep Palit (@suvrodeep_palit) December 10, 2022
#ShikharDhawan should go back to domestic cricket gain some form if he has to play again. Can't take the opening slot for granted
— bert macklin (@DrGoutham1994) December 10, 2022
If #TeamIndia wants to win WC in 2023, then it's time to look beyond #ShikharDhawan & #KLRahul. Just a nuisance.
Anyways @ishankishan51 making full use of the opportunity. Keep going !#BANvsIND #BANvIND #INDvsBAN https://t.co/trEg95IOS5
— Atul J. Dolas ?? (@atuldolasj) December 10, 2022
Dear Ishan you are wasting your time BCCI and Dravid is blind now until Shikhar Dhawan start batting again
— Mr. Chauhan (@mrchauhan84) December 10, 2022
This innings from Ishan proves exactly what's wrong with Indian cricket. Having Shikhar Dhawan in the team over the likes of Kishan, Gill and Samson!
— Prashant Nair (@imagunner49) December 10, 2022
I think it's now time to move on from Shikhar Dhawan. Getting out early and increasing pressure on Team. Also only single Digit Scores by him in this series.#FIFAWorldCup #GOAT? #Brazil #IndianCricketTeam #BANvIND #INDvsBAN
— Saumya Shah (@SaumyaS42558707) December 10, 2022
Ishan Kishan is doing well but Rahul Dravid will come to press and Shikhar Dhawan will play world cup even ishan Kishan score 100 today .#ishankishan pic.twitter.com/NbCQy8a1lO
— only cricket (@rr3815126) December 10, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan is a KL Rahul 2.0 nowadays.
— HITMAN (@CaptainRo45) December 10, 2022
