Shikhar Dhawan: Shikhar Dhawan was surprised at not being selected for the Asian Games, expressed happiness for the new captain

Summary

With Shubman Gill joining Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, it looks like the Indian team has now left Dhawan behind. Dhawan became a player in the ODI format until he was dropped from the ODI team after the Bangladesh tour in December 2022.

Expansion

The Indian cricket team will take a position in the upcoming Asian Games. The team has been selected under the captaincy of young batsman Rituraj Gaikwad. It was said that veteran player Shikhar Dhawan would be handed over the captaincy, but it did not happen. Even he was not kept on the team. Dhawan is sad that he did not get a chance. He was surprised not to be selected for the team. However, he said that he is still preparing for the comeback.

The 37-year-old Dhawan had assumed the captaincy role 10 months back, but the selectors dropped him this time and appointed Rituraj Gaikwad as the skipper. Speaking to the news agency PTI, Dhawan said, "When my name was not on the team for the Asian Games, I was a bit shocked. Then I felt that he was thinking something different. You have to accept it. I am happy that Rituraj will lead the team. All are young boys, and I am sure they will do well.

He was out after the Bangladesh series.

With Shubman Gill joining Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, it looks like the Indian team has now left Dhawan behind. Dhawan became a player in the ODI format until he was dropped from the ODI team after the Bangladesh tour in December 2022. Dhawan, one of India's top ODI batsmen in the last decade, said he does not know what will happen in the future, but if an opportunity comes his way, he will be ready for it.

I have kept myself fit to make a comeback: Dhawan

Dhawan said, "I will be ready to come back. That's why I have kept myself fit. There is always a chance, whether one percent or 20 percent. I still enjoy training, and I still enjoy playing. These things are under my control. I respect whatever decision is taken. Dhawan is still a centrally contracted cricketer and spends much time at the National Cricket Academy.

Men's team for Asian Games

Rituraj Gaikwad (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dubey, Prabhsimran Singh (wicket-keeper).

Standby players: Yash Thakur, Sai Kishore, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Sai Sudarshan.