Opener Shikhar Dhawan’s poor rhythm in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could be a cause for concern for the Indian selectors ahead of the upcoming South Africa tour.
- India’s South African tour soon
- ODI team yet to be announced
- 2 young players claim for the tour
New Delhi: Opener Shikhar Dhawan’s poor rhythm in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could be a cause for concern for the Indian selectors ahead of the upcoming South Africa tour. On the other hand, young cricketers Rituraj Gaikwad and Venkatesh Iyer are almost certain to be selected in the team.
- ODI team yet to be announced
The BCCI has already appointed Rohit Sharma as the captain of this format for the 3-match ODI series to be played in January 2022, but the entire team is yet to be announced.
- How many players will get a place in the squad?
It remains to be seen how many players the selectors place in the team for the 50-over series between India and South Africa, keeping in mind the bio-bubble and workload management.
- Gaikwad and Venkatesh’s charisma
In the current season of Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gaikwad and Iyer have so far scored 3 and 2 centuries respectively. Iyer has also taken a few wickets during this period, which makes it clear that he is ready to leave Hardik Pandya behind as the team’s main all-rounder.
- Difficult for Venkatesh to open
It is understood that Venkatesh Iyer will find it difficult to find a place in the team as an opener in the presence of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. In such a situation, he will have to play the role of finisher while batting at number five or six.
- Brilliant century by Venkatesh
Venkatesh Iyer played a similar role against Kerala by scoring 112 runs in 84 balls while batting at number four and then 71 off 49 balls while batting at number five. Taking this series forward, on Sunday, he played an innings of 151 runs in 113 balls with the help of 10 sixes.
- ‘Venkatesh is going to South Africa’
A BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity, “Venkatesh is definitely going to South Africa. He is bowling 9 or 10 overs in every match and it is a good time to give him a chance as Hardik Pandya is unfit.
- ‘Venkatesh will be in ODI team’
A BCCI source said, “The new team management did the right thing by advising him to bat in the middle order. If he is not injured, he will definitely be in the ODI squad for South Africa.
- Gaikwad also claimed
Maharashtra captain Rituraj Gaikwad has added to the trouble of the selectors by continuing his scintillating IPL rhythm in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Gaikwad played two T20 Internationals in Sri Lanka but did not get a chance in ODIs. Even in the 3-match T20I series against New Zealand, he did not find a place as Rohit Sharma was batting in the top order, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were his opening partners.
- Gaikwad hits ‘hat-trick century’
Rituraj Gaikwad has scored 136 against Madhya Pradesh, 154 not out against Chhattisgarh and 124 against Kerala in consecutive matches, which will be difficult for the selectors to ignore.
- Will Dhawan get another chance?
On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan has played innings of zero, 12, 14, 18 runs during this period. The way coach Rahul Dravid has given opportunities to senior players like Ajinkya Rahane and Ishant Sharma for Test matches, it seems that Shikhar Dhawan will also get another chance.
- Dhawan has done the captaincy
“The last time India played a 50-over series, Shikhar Dhawan was leading India and played a match-winning innings in Sri Lanka as well,” a BCCI source said.
- Last test for Dhawan
A BCCI source said, “He has the ability to get the momentum and score runs. So Rituraj Gaikwad should be in the team but I think selectors can give one last chance to Shikhar Dhawan.
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