Ajit Agarkar feels that despite producing consistent performances in the Indian team, Shikhar Dhawan might not be able to cement his place in India’s starting XI for the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The Indian team is split for choices at the top of the batting order especially the opening slot as the team management has a huge dilemma for the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shikhar Dhawan have all been excellent at the top of the batting order for India but only two of them can be in the starting XI.
As far as former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar is concerned, it’s the pairing of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul that has the edge over other opening combinations.
Ajit Agarkar: Shikhar Dhawan Has To Get Runs In Sri Lanka To Put Pressure On The Openers Ahead Of Him In Contention For Place In The T20 World Cup Squad
With the India tour of Sri Lanka being the team’s only limited-overs contest before the start of the T20 World Cup, there are a number of players who would be looking to impress. As many as six uncapped players have been selected for the series which will feature 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Alongside those rookie players, Ajit Agarkar feels Shikhar Dhawan would also look to impress and make a stronger case for his selection in the starting XI.
“It’s a curious case. You almost felt like Rahul & Rohit have overtaken him but Shikhar keeps getting runs. So, he keeps the pressure on those two. Look, he has to get runs. I think he will have to put up scores.
“As a player, you can only do this much. I don’t know how much of a say the performance in Sri Lanka will have in team selection for T20 World Cup, all he can do is put pressure on the guys ahead of him,” Ajit Agarkar said at a virtual presser ahead of the start of the India Tour of Sri Lanka organized by official broadcaster Sony Sports.
![File image of Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan [L] and Rohit Sharma | Sportzpics for BCCI](https://sportzwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/130543-ajqvlhhfyn-1573148906.jpg "Ajit Agarkar Doubts Shikhar Dhawan'S Chances In India'S Xi For 2021 T20I World Cup 3")
Ajit Agarkar:KL Rahul Ahead Of Shikhar Dhawan In The Pecking Order Despite The Left-Handed Shikhar Dhawan’s Good Performances In IPL 2020 And 2021
Ajit Agarkar feels KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are both ahead of Shikhar Dhawan in the pecking order. While it is crucial for Shikhar Dhawan to perform and make a case for himself, even a solid show against Sri Lanka might not be enough for the southpaw to usurp KL Rahul in the showpiece event.
“He played the 1st match of the T20 series against England and was left out. He then came back and did exceptionally well in the ODIs. He has had two really good IPLs. He is not doing anything wrong.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t play in the England series. So, he couldn’t make a case. But I feel KL Rahul is ahead of him and Rohit being the vice-captain will pick himself. Although Rahul has had an average series, he has been excellent in white-ball cricket. That makes it difficult for Shikhar,” Agarkar said.
Shikhar Dhawan has been in tremendous form during the now postponed IPL 2021, after getting dropped from the T20I side in the home England series preceding the IPL.
Opening for the Delhi Capitals, the left-hander scored 380 runs in 7 matches at 54.29, striking at 134.28, and was the leading run-scorer before the tournament got suspended. Shikhar Dhawan was the 2nd highest run-getter in IPL 2020 too with 618 runs in 17 games.
Shikhar Dhawan has six matches — 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is — to impress the team management in Sri Lanka while KL Rahul is likely to feature in at least a couple of Tests in England. Depending upon the form of the two players in these assignments as well as the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season, a final call could be made.