Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer feels that veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan should be recalled to the India team for the upcoming World Cup 2023, which will be played in India in October-November.
Shikhar Dhawan had been one of the key batters in the Indian ODI team from 2013 to 2022, but lost his place last year to young Shubman Gill. Dhawan has a vast experience of 167 ODI matches, wherein he amassed over 6000 runs at an average of 44 with 17 centuries to his name.
But some dip in his form, plus the rise of the likes of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan saw him getting dropped from the ODI side last year. Ishan Kishan is currently being seen as the backup opener to Rohit Sharma and Gill. However, Shikhar Dhawan’s impressive record in tournaments like World Cup and Champions Trophy cannot be discounted.
During a discussion on JioCinema, Wasim Jaffer was asked to pick his Indian squad for World Cup 2023. The former opener opted to have Dhawan in his squad as the backup opener.
“My three openers will be Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan. Even though Shikhar Dhawan is not going to be picked, I will keep him as the backup opener. Even if he doesn’t play at the start, I am okay with that,” Jaffer said.
The middle-order batters – Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, who doubles up as the wicket-keeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence – and the two all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya – pick themselves with no contention.
Wasim Jaffer also picked Axar Patel as the extra spin-bowling all-rounder along with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
“After that, Virat Kohli at No. 3 obviously. Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, KL Rahul at No. 5 and Hardik Pandya at No. 6. Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be my three spinners in the XI.”
I will definitely try to play three spinners in my World Cup XI: Wasim Jaffer
Since the World Cup is in India, Jaffer believes, two pacers in the XI – Bumrah and Siraj/Shami – in the XI would be enough with Hardik Pandya acting as the third seamer.
“In my XI, I will have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj/Mohammad Shami. I will play two seamers – Bumrah and Siraj. For me, it is very important that Hardik Pandya bowls because the World Cup is in India. Even if he doesn’t bowl 10 overs and bowls seven-eight overs, it’s enough for me.”
To complete the squad, Jaffer wants to rope in Shardul and Samson. Interestingly, Jaffer omitted Chahal.
“If he bowls, I will definitely try to play three spinners and I will definitely play both Axar and Jadeja because they are all-rounders. My third spinner will obviously be Kuldeep. My fourth seamer will be Shardul Thakur. Sanju Samson will be my backup keeper because I have already picked Shikhar as my third opener.”
Wasim Jaffer’s Indian World Cup squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur
