Senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who last played a T20I for India in July 2021, is likely to lead India’s T20I side in the Asian Games this year, with VVS Laxman, who is currently the head of the NCA and India Under-19 team, to act as the coach for this continental tournament.
Earlier the BCCI confirmed the participation of Indian men’s and women’s teams in the Asian Games 2023 to be hosted by China in September-October this year.
Cricket in Asian Games 2023 will be played in T20 format.
While the BCCI will send their strongest women’s team led by Harmanpreet Kaur, for men’s a B or a second-string side will play in the Asian Games as the first-choice players who are part of the ODI setup will be preparing for the World Cup 2023 in October.
Shikhar Dhawan not likely to be part of World Cup 2023 squad, so will lead India in Asian Games
Over the past few years, as India have rotated teams and players amid tight schedule, Dhawan has been someone who has led the youngsters on tours such as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He’s touted to captain the side in the Asian Games 2023, even though he hasn’t played for the national team in a while.
Both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will be with the ODI side preparing for the World Cup. The players who will not be part of the World Cup 2023 squad and backups will be sent for the Asian Games. Since Shikhar Dhawan is already out from the ODI squad and is unlikely to make his way back for the World Cup 2023, he will be available to lead the team in the Asian Games.
“Shikhar Dhawan’s name is doing rounds as the captain of the India B team that will take part in the quadrennial extravaganza,” PTI reported on Thursday.
Shikhar has been out of the ODI side since last year, replaced by Shubman Gill as the opener and Rohit Sharma’s opening partner with Ishan Kishan picked up as the back-up opener.
