Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan is back in the national colours for the T20I series against Australia starting from tomorrow at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Dhawan was out of the team during the ODI series as he requested for leave to be with his ailing wife, Ayesha Mukherjee. The southpaw is now back in the T20I squad after spending a good time with his wife and will be raring to go when the two teams take the field tomorrow.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to their twitter handle to welcome back Dhawan to the team after missing the ODI series. The southpaw has looked in ominous touch ever since returning to international cricket. He won the Golden Bat of the Year during the ICC Champions Trophy which the Men in Blue lost in the finals to arch-rival Pakistan.
In the video shared by the BCCI, Dhawan is seen batting in the nets as some of the Indian team members gives him throwdowns.
Welcome back @SDhawan25 #TeamIndia #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/0qaqRNeHVH
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2017
He was at his imperious best and tormented with all the bowling line-ups during the tournament. In his comeback Test series against Sri Lanka, he was back at his best and scored two brilliant centuries which set up a series whitewash for the visitors. It was an exceptional showing by the southpaw, and he followed it up with consistent performance in the ODI series as well.
He would have been the first choice opener had he not taken the leave, but Ajinkya Rahane seised the opportunity in his absence and smashed four consecutive half-centuries in the last four matches. He looked in good touch, but with Dhawan, in form, he will walk into the XI irrespective of Rahane’s form.
The Men in Blue meanwhile will be looking to continue their resurgence in the T20I series as well. They see a top-class side, and it would take a monumental effort for the Aussies to harbour any hopes of winning the series.