SHIKHAR DHAWAN TO MISS FIRST THREE ONEDAYERS AGAINST AUSTRALIA
CHENNAI: Shikhar Dhawan has been released from the Indian cricket team and will not play in the first three One-Day Internationals (ODI) against Australia. The opener had requested for leave to attend his wife Ayesha Mukherjee, who is unwell.
“Team India opener Mr Shikhar Dhawan has requested to be released from the team for the first three ODIs of the Paytm Australia tour of India, 2017 to attend to his wife, who is unwell,” BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said in a statement on Thursday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to name a replacement for the left-handed batsman.
NO REPLACEMENT
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has decided not to name any replacement for Mr Dhawan in Indian Cricket Team,” added the statement.
Shikhar Dhawan had also not played in the fifth ODI and only Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka earlier this month in Colombo to attend to his ailing mother.
The left-hander has been in fine form of late, striking two centuries during the three-Test series in Sri Lanka and also an unbeaten 132 in the first ODI at Dambulla.
RAHANE, RAHUL IN LINE
Ajinkya Rahane is expected to open India’s batting with Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul is the other potential candidate for the opening slot.
The first three ODIs against Australia will be held on September 17 (Chennai), 21 (Kolkata) and 24 (Indore). The following two ODIs are in Bangalore on September 28 and Nagpur on October 1. Squad for first 3 ODIs: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohd Shami.