Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif is not impressed by the selectors’ call to demote Shikhar Dhawan as vice-captain. Dhawan was earlier named as captain for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe but he was then replaced as captain by KL Rahul, who cleared his fitness test.
Dhawan will now take the vice-captaincy role for the series. In fact, Dhawan had led India to a 3-0 win against the West Indies and he had done a fine job. The southpaw had led from the front as he scored 168 runs in three matches, including two fifties against the Windies.
Dhawan has all the experience under his belt and he will look to get the best out of himself in the series against Zimbabwe. The left-hander is expected to open the innings with KL Rahul.
Mohammad Kaif said in a media interaction, “The captaincy episode could have been avoided. Maybe KL Rahul’s medical report came in late, and it could be a case of miscommunication as well. If India would have played this series under Dhawan, as initially announced, I don’t think it would have bothered KL Rahul.
“But I totally agree, if someone has been announced as captain, he should remain as captain. Dhawan is an easy-going personality, but it isn’t right on a player.”
On the other hand, Dhawan now only plays 50-over format and he is not considered for the Test and T20I squad. Dhawan last played a T20I in July 2021 against Sri Lanka. The left-hander has been performing consistently in the IPL but he isn’t considered for national selection. However, Kaif reckons Dhawan is an all-format player.
Kaif added, “There is a lot of cricket left in Shikhar Dhawan as he plays just one format for India. He scores heaps of runs in IPL as well and his call-up in just ODIs sometimes surprises me a bit.
“He is a better player and can play both T20Is and Tests as well. Whenever Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have played well together, India have been successful.”
India will face Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Harare on Thursday.
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