With attention now directed toward the ODI World Cup of 2023, which is scheduled to take place in around nine months, every game is an opportunity for every player, regardless of their previous successes. Every time a substitute player for a periphery player takes advantage of his rare opportunity, the competition for India’s team, which has a large number of talented players competing for every single spot, grows tougher. Ishan Kishan is the most recent example, scoring 210 off 131 balls in India’s decisive 227-run victory over Bangladesh in the third One-Day International on Saturday. Senior Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik made a significant comment on the potential of an India star for the ODI World Cup after the knock.
Four players are contending for the two opening spots in India’s ODI lineup after the inclusion of Ishan. Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, and Ishan are vying for the second position because Rohit Sharma is a certain conclusion. The 37-year-old was the favourite because he had participated in the most ODIs since 2019 and because of his ICC tournament performance. Karthik, though, began to question if Dhawan would even be selected for the upcoming Sri Lanka ODI series at home after his poor performance with the bat in the Bangladesh series.
“For Sri Lanka series, where does Dhawan stand? It is going to be interesting to see how they are going to leave out Ishan Kishan. Shubman Gill has been doing so well. If Rohit Sharma is available, somebody has to miss out. It could well be him (Dhawan). That could be a sad end to a glorious career. But some questions to answer for the new selectors,” he said. The T20Is and three-match ODI series for the Sri Lanka series will start in January.
Karthik went on to say that Gill would have opened following Rohit’s thumb injury if he had been kept on by the ODI team, but he gave Ishan credit for seizing the opportunity while it was still there and scoring a record-breaking double century. “Interestingly, if Shubman Gill had been part of the squad, he would have probably opened because he has been doing it for some time with aplomb. Ishan Kishan, given an opportunity, has taken it with both hands. This is going to put Shikhar Dhawan in a fix,” he said.
“It’s very nice to see someone coming out and being honest with the fact that, ‘you know what, I could have got a 300 if I had batted, but it didn’t happen’. Also shows his hunger. He has been walking that thin line with a few of the keepers being part of it and hence not getting that opportunity. Now, he has pushed that door and said, ‘I am ready. Are you going to look at me?'”