“Shocked”: Hero Of India’s Last ICC Title, Currently Playing In IPL, Opens Up On Life On Sidelines, National Team Snub

The Indian cricket team is currently squaring off against Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, where Rohit Sharma and Co have gained an unassailable 2-0 lead. This series is also India’s final T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, which will kick-start from June 2 in USA. In the showpiece event, India will aim to end their ICC trophy drought, as their previous title came back in 2013 in the form of Champions Trophy. In that series, opening batter Shikhar Dhawan emerged as the Player of the Series. However, the 38-year-old batter has been overlooked for long in the national team. Some reports have suggested that the BCCI are clearly looking beyond him. 

Dhawan played his last match for Team India in December 2022 during the ODIs against Bangladesh. Since then, the Punjab Kings skipper has been overlooked by the selectors as the team has found new opening options in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

Recently, Dhawan opened up about his feelings after being ignored for the Asian Games 2023. The batter stated that he is having a very positive approach in his life.

“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. 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,” Dhawan told Times Of India.

As the Asian Games clashed with the ODI World Cup, the senior players of Indian team were not available for the continental event. Therefore, it was highly expected that Dhawan will be leading Team India at the Asian Games but he was once again overlooked.

Dhawan’s personal life has not been smooth either. Having been separated from his wife Ayesha Mukherjee, Dhawan hasn’t been able to meet his son Zoravar in person for a year now.

In an emotional social media post on Instagram, Dhawan even claimed that he has been blocked from all virtual platforms through which he could connect to his son.