18 July,2021 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
India’s Suryakumar Yadav. Pic/Getty Images
Opener Shikhar Dhawan is all set to lead India in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo today.
The left-handed batsman, India's stand-in captain for this tour, has done his homework and even finalised the team combination. However, he preferred not to reveal who he would walk out to open the innings with, at the R Premadasa Stadium against the 1996 world champions.
Dhawan, 35, has three specialist openers - Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad - in his 20-member squad. "We have finalised the opening partner and team as well, which we are going to disclose tomorrow [Sunday]," said Dhawan during a virtual press conference on the eve of first ODI, when asked by Sunday mid-day about his opening partner for today's game.
Dhawan even avoided mentioning Shaw, when asked what kind of batting approach he would like to see from his Delhi Capitals' opening partner and Mumbai's Suryakumar Yadav. "Of course, Surya has performed so well in domestic as well as international matches which he played recently against England. He is a very talented boy and I am sure that he is going to do great in this series; he is in great touch," remarked Dhawan, who has amassed 5,977 runs in
142 ODIs.
Shaw, 21, has represented the country in three ODIs in which he has scored a total of 84 runs, but hasn't made his T20I debut. He played a vital role in Mumbai's Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph last March when he scored four centuries in eight games.
Also Read: Shikhar needs to score big to grab T20 WC spot: Agarkar
Suryakumar, 30, a middle-order batsman, who has 89 runs under his belt in three T20Is, is yet to play ODI cricket.
Dhawan felt the series in Sri Lanka comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is, is important for every player. The T20 World Cup is not very far away, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates from October 17.
When asked how crucial this series is for him as there will be tough competition for the opening slot in India's T20 World Cup team, Dhawan said performance does matter. India's white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma is a natural choice for the opener's role while KL Rahul is competing for the other slot on the T20 World Cup roster.
"Each player knows the worth of each and every match, whether there will be a World Cup next or not. Every player wants to give his best and be consistent. Absolutely, there is competition for the opening slot [for T20 WC] in our team and that is a very good sign. I just want whoever is playing here [in Lanka] to perform the best and win. If we play well, doors [for the World Cup squad] will open automatically, be it anyone," Dhawan explained.
Also Read: Shikhar Dhawan on Rahul Dravid: We have good chemistry
