Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced a solid 15-member provisional Indian squad for ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were picked in the squad while Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson, R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal missed out. However, exclusion of senior Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was a huge blow for his fans. Dhawan, who was part of the Indian squad in 2013 Champions Trophy and also represented the national team in 2019 ODI World Cup, won't be part of an 50 over ICC tournament after 10 long years.
Despite being overlooked for India's ODI World Cup 2023 team, the Delhi-born star has a positive outlook towards life. A video has gone viral on social media in which Shikhar Dhawan can be seen offering prayers at Ujjain's world-famous Jyotirling temple of Baba Mahakaleshwar. The viral video also features famous Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.
Watch below viral video of Shikhar Dhawan offering prayers at Jyotirling temple of Baba Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain
Ajit Agarkar's big statement on Shikhar Dhawan's possible India comeback
Veteran India batter Dhawan, who last donned the national colours in December last year, wasn't really in the scheme of things. When BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar was asked about the southpaw's potential India comeback, he said that there's no place for Dhawan, at present, with the kind of form Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have shown and with captain Rohit Sharma, the permanent India opener, on top.
"Rohit is not a bad player, Shubman has had a phenomenal year. Ishan Kishan (is another one). Shikhar has been a terrific player for India. At the moment three guys are doing well and you can fit only 15. Unfortunately someone has to sit. At the moment these are our preferred openers," Agarkar said at the press conference.