Kolkata: KL Rahul is back in the Test team. And the news is, it’s another opening batsman who has recovered from his injury and is all set to take the field. We are talking about Shikhar Dhawan who faced a blow on his left-thumb against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Dhawan is fit again and will play for Delhi against Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy match at Wayanad on November 21.
“Shikhar has fully recovered from the left thumb fracture and is fit to play competitive cricket again. His rehab is also complete and has gone back to National Cricket Academy for a final check-up. He has told me that he will be joining the squad directly in Wayanad from Bengaluru. Shikhar’s presence will certainly bolster the side,” Delhi’s coach KP Bhaskar says.
Dhawan was replaced by his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir who didn’t quite impress with the bat in the two Tests he played. Rahul who was also left out after the first Test against New Zealand due to injury, has been included in the side for the second Test against England at Vishakapatnam.
But the question is whether Dhawan will be an automatic choice for the Tests as the third opener. With an abysmal show with the bat in recent times in the five-day format, thanks to scores like 17, 1, 26, 1, 27, 84, 21, 33, 39, 12, 45 not out, 0, 0 and 28, it is quite unlikely, that Dhawan will immediately make his way back into the team. Moreover his technique that has often incurred criticism, will be questioned. Dhawan’s weakness with the away going delivery has been his nemesis on so many occasions.
It’s not just runs but also an improved technique which can earn him a berth in the Test side. Though Dhawan aka Gabbar (as he is fondly called by his teammates) has done well in ODIs, he has failed to show consistency in Tests and T-20 Internationals in the recent past.
For a batsman who celebrated his Test debut with a century against Australia in 2013, Dhawan’s inconsistency has put a question mark on his Test career. With Rahul’s inclusion, Murali Vijay back amongst runs and a Gautam Gambhir already in the side, Dhawan needs to come out with exceptional performances at the first-class level to persuade the selectors to consider him for a Test berth. The road ahead is tough for the 30-year-old left-hander.
(With inputs from PTI)