It seems like Shikhar Dhawan’s World Cup dream has ended. The veteran India opener is in line to lead India’s second string at the Asian Games in September. A decision on participation will be taken during the BCCI Apex Council Meeting on July 7. With the quadrennial games clashing with the Asia Cup 2023 & the World Cup 2023, a ‘B’ team will travel to China.
The BCCI has decided to send teams for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou in September-October. The men’s competition will coincide with India’s World Cup preparations so a second-string side is expected to take part in the continental event.
Also Read: BCCI to take final call on Asian Games 2023 on July 7
Dhawan has a near-spotless record in ICC tournaments. The veteran left-hander however has fallen down the pecking order, with the team management backing younger players. The 37-year-old is currently at the NCA building his fitness even as he was omitted from the squad for the West Indies tour.
Shikhar Dhawan’s name is doing rounds as the captain of the India B team that will take part in the quadrennial extravaganza. The left-hander is out of favour with Shubman Gill having replaced him at the top of the order. The 37-year-old led India for most of 2022, with Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya ‘resting’ with a focus on T20Is. Hardik Pandya is India’s designated T20I captain in recent times, but the all-rounder will remain unavailable due to the World Cup preparations.
Asian Games 2023: Dhawan captain, Laxman coach
- Full strength Women’s team, second string men’s side
- Shikhar Dhawan to lead, VVS Laxman as coach
- World Cup 2023 rejects to form Asiad squad.
- Final decision on July 7 during BCCI Apex Council Meeting.
Dhawan captain Punjab Kings in IPL 2023. With the team likely to be a youthful side, his experience could prove vital. He last played a T20I for India in 2021 against Sri Lanka. He will be accompanied by several non-World Cup stars, with many picked on IPL records. The likes of Rinku Singh, Sai Sudharsan and Tilak Varma could get their maiden call-ups. Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal could also feature should they miss out on the World Cup squad.
Apart from Dhawan, the Former Indian batter VVS Laxman can also join the Indian team as a head coach for the tournament. Asian Games don’t come under ICC and will not be recognised in International cricket.
The Women’s team meanwhile will be at full strength with no commitments. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side travel to Bangladesh in July, following which their calendar opens up. The Asian Games is likely to be the first assignment for the incoming head coach.
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