Shikhar Dhawan admitted he was surprised when his name was not included in the squad for the men’s cricket event at the Asian Games, which will be held in September-October this year.
The BCCI named a squad full of youngsters for the Hangzhou Asian Games in September-October, with the first-choice players busy preparing for the ODI World Cup at home. The 37-year-old left-hander was expected to captain India’s second-string team in China, a role he held until 10 months ago, but the selectors chose Ruturaj Gaikwad instead.
“When my name was not there (for the Asian Games), I was a bit shocked. But, then, I was like they have a different thought process, you just have to accept it. Happy that Rutu (Gaikwad) will lead the side. All the young boys are there, I am sure they will do well,” Dhawan told PTI on Thursday.
With Shubman Gill joining Rohit Sharma at the helm, it appears that the Indian team has moved on from Dhawan, who had become a one-format player before being dropped from the ODI squad after the Bangladesh tour in December 2022. Dhawan, who has been one of India’s leading ODI batters over the last decade, said he can’t predict what lies ahead but will be ready if an opportunity knocks.
“I will be ready, of course (for the comeback). That is why I keep myself fit (so whenever I get a chance I am ready). There is always a chance whether it is one percent or 20 percent. “I still enjoy training and I still enjoy the game, these are the things in my control. Whatever decision is made, I respect that,” said the southpaw, who is still on central contract and spends a lot of time at the National Cricket Academy.
