With just a few days to go into the T20I series opener between India and England, discussions have started over potential team compositions. One of the most debated departments is opening where Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are set to vie for two spots. Former India selector, Devang Gandhi, feels the 5-match T20I series will see the Rohit-Rahul pairing through-and-through with Dhawan being only a replacement player.
Dhawan has remained one of India’s most important players in white-ball cricket, especially when it comes to ICC tournaments. KL Rahul’s rise in the recent year or so, on the other hand, has arguably been second to none. Both, however, play only white-ball cricket in the team at the moment, with Dhawan not even making it to the squad in the Test format.
Dhawan, who finished the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 campaign as the second-highest scorer behind KL Rahul, might have to settle for a spot on the bench, at least initially.
“KL and Rohit are your opening pair in T20s going into the World T20. Shikhar will be the reserve opener and will have to wait for his turn. Maybe during the ODIs, he can be given a chance if the ODIs are also treated as an extension of T20 preparation,” former national selector Devang Gandhi, who was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Gandhi was also of the opinion that Suryakumar Yadav could be tried at the No. 5 spot in the team while Rishabh Pant will bat at No. 4. When it comes to this year’s T20 World Cup, the former selector feels that the Mumbai Indians batsman should be given a consistent run by the Indian team management.
“Surya has had tremendous success for Mumbai Indians in the IPL batting at that particular slot. If you are looking at him going into the World T20, give him as many games as possible in the lead-up. He should also be kept in the ODI squad.”
