Shikhar Dhawan finally break silence on not select for Asian Games 2023

Team India opener and Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan was a ‘bit shocked’ at his exclusion from India’s Asian Games 2023 squad but remains determined to make a national comeback in the near future. Shikhar Dhawan finally break silence not select for Asian Games 2023

Shikhar Dhawan has been away from the Indian dressing for quite a long time now. He donned the blue Indian jersey exactly 8 months ago, in the third ODI of the Bangladesh tour which India won by 227 runs. As the team gears up for the upcoming World Cup 2023 at home, Dhawan seems to have completely been sidelined from the management’s scheme of things.

He was expected to lead a second-string side to the Asian Games in Hangzhou as the senior men would be focusing on the mega ICC event at home. But the veteran batter was ‘a bit shocked’ after not finding his name in the squad. With the first-choice players busy with preparation for the Cricket World Cup 2023 at home, the BCCI named a squad full of youngsters for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 in September-October.

The 37-year-old left-hander was tipped to lead the second-string India team in China, a role he performed until 10 months ago, but the selectors did not pick him and named Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain. “When my name was not there (for 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 media on Thursday.

 “I will be ready, of course. 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 remains a centrally-contracted cricketer and spends a lot of time at the National Cricket Academy.

If the India comeback doesn’t happen, Dhawan has an Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy to win for Punjab Kings. He also expressed his keenness to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy before the IPL. “I have not spoken to any selector (about my future). I keep going to NCA. I enjoy my time there, the facilities are great.

NCA has shaped my career and I am grateful for it. Also I have to prepare for the IPL. I will be playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali and, hopefully, the Vijay Hazare as well,” he said, referring to the two domestic tournaments. With more than 10,000 international runs in his kitty, Dhawan has a lot to be grateful for. It is highly unlikely that he will get to feature in his third straight ODI World Cup but he is prepared to embrace whatever comes his way.

“I am in a very happy state of mind. When you play the World Cup it is a great feeling. I am very blessed to have such an amazing career and contribute to the Indian team. At this stage, you go year by year. Physically I am very fit and I have an IPL to win for Punjab Kings. Hopefully, we can do that next year,” said Dhawan, who has three World Cup hundreds to his name.

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