Cricket News: Shikhar Dhawan, a veteran Indian batter, has been praised for his steady efforts for the Punjab Kings in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL). In their previous match, Dhawan hit an unbeaten 88 to lead PBKS to win over the Chennai Super Kings in an innings in which he achieved many milestones.
Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif claimed in a tweet that Dhawan deserves a moniker, much like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, and that he deserves a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad later this year. Dhawan was replaced in the Indian T20 team by KL Rahul, who has forged a solid opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, and Kaif refused to indicate where he believes Dhawan can bat.
“Dhoni Thala hai, Kohli King hain aur Shikhar? 6000 IPL runs, delivering under pressure, he is T20 ka Khalifa. He should play T20 World Cup. Don’t ask me where, if I was selector, I would tell you,” Kaif said in his tweet.
Dhoni Thala hai, Kohli King hain aur Shikhar? 6000 IPL runs, delivering under pressure, he is T20 ka Khalifa. He should play T20 World Cup. Don't ask me where, if I was selector, I would tell you.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 26, 2022
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri had stated that Dhawan deserves to be included with Kohli and Rohit Sharma. During the innings, Dhawan achieved a number of milestones, including becoming only the second player after Kohli to score over 6000 runs in the IPL.
“He measured what he had to do by reading the conditions, seeing what the pitch had to offer, seeing what his role was, the shot selection, playing around with the field, choosing the right bowler to hit and the reason why I feel he spoke beautifully is that it showed his mindset and the way he has adapted himself over the years,” Shastri said on Star Sports.
“I call him a gun player because in this country most of the accolades have gone to Rohit and Virat but this man has been a serious player right in between there. And he deserves all the accolades for 6000 runs, 200 games, Man of the Match award, finishing off in style and like he said he has started advising youngsters,” he said.
