Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan is going through a rough patch lately. He has completely been out of his colours in the ongoing ODI series Australia, scoring just 22 runs in 3 innings. Moreover, his story of failure has come into existence since September 2018, where he slammed the last century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
Dhawan tried to get back on the track with a couple of 50-plus scores in New Zealand but his dismal batting in 14 out of his 16 innings is seriously alarming, especially keeping the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in mind.
However, India's assistant coach Sanjay Bangar termed out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan as a vital cog, saying the team management wants the right-left combination to fire at the top of the order.
“In the previous game, he (Dhawan) was batting really well till he erred in shot selection. But from our point of view, he has been an important player,” Bangar said after India's 32-run loss against Australia in the third ODI here Friday.
“If we know that he gets going, he can give us that solidity as it is vital to have that right-left combination going. He is a hugely valuable player for us and he is expected to come good very soon,” the former India all-rounder said.
He was also sympathetic for Ambati Rayudu, who Friday got a brilliant delivery from Pat Cummins.
“These games are valuable opportunities for all players concerned and even for us so that the players are at their utmost best when we go into the World Cup. Don't forget that in the last game in New Zealand, Rayudu scored a match-winning 90,” Bangar said.