STAR Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan finally spoke about not being part of the Asian Games 2023 team. Prior to BCCI announcing the squad, there were rumors about Shikhar Dhawan leading a B-string Indian cricket team in the tournament.
BCCI named a squad full of youngsters for the Hangzhou Asian Games in September-October which even shocked Dhawan as he was expecting to represent India in the tournament.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the India men’s T20 team in the upcoming Asian Games, set to be held from September 19 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China. The 15-member squad announced by the BCCI also includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Jitesh Sharma, all of whom are uncapped in T20 cricket.
With the men’s ODI World Cup scheduled to begin in India on October 5, two days before the end of the Asian Games cricket competition, the selectors have named a second-string men’s side.
When my name was not there (for Asian Games), I was a bit shocked. But, then, I was like they have a different thought process, you just have to accept it. Happy that Rutu (Gaikwad) will lead the side. All the young boys are there, I am sure they will do well,” Dhawan told PTI.
Shikhar Dhawan Speaks On Potential Comeback
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have taken a stronghold on the opening spot and due to that the veteran batter has not received opportunities to make his much-awaited return to the national side. He has not played a single ODI since December 2022.
However, Dhawan is optimistic and is working on his fitness in order to be prepared for any opportunity that ever drops by.
He said “I will be ready, of course (for the comeback). That is why I keep myself fit (so whenever I get a chance I am ready). There is always a chance whether it is one percent or 20 percent. I still enjoy training and I still enjoy the game, these are the things in my control. Whatever decision is made, I respect that.”
