Published 16:19 IST, January 30th 2023

'Should we go back to Dhawan or...': R Ashwin shares his opinion on India's opener debate

On the ongoing debate who shall be Team India's first choice openers for the 2023 ODI World Cricket, India all rounder R Ashwin has expressed his views.

Reported by: Saksham Nagar
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Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan's rise in One Day Internationals has put up a question mark on Shikhar Dhawan's spot as an opener in Team India's ODI side. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have impressed a lot with ir performances in recent ODI's and also have cemented ir place in ODI team. 

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has put his point of view on ongoing debate. Ashwin thinks that Team India has always had great top order batsmen. Ashwin has praised Shikhar Dhawan as a stalwart in ODI format. Ashwin also gave his views on debate that Dhawan has been a 'silent' contributor in India's success. 

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Ashwin said: 'Dhawan is a stalwart'

On his YouTube channel Ashwin said, "Only when Top 3 failed, we had problems in past. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli. We talk a lot about Rohit and Kohli, but Dhawan is a stalwart. He was silently doing his job. Will his place be a big void to fill for Team India?". 

Ashwin said: 'We should see what team requires'

“Should we go back to Shikhar Dhawan, or should we groom Ishan Kishan, who has just scored a double hundred? Instead of backing a player on basis of one huge score, we should see what team requires. Which character will deliver under pressure? Which character will serve us for a long time?", Ashwin added. 

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Ashwin also praised Shubman Gill for his fabulous batting performance in past. “Ishan Kishan was dropped after a double hundred, but Team India has seen Shubman Gill’s run in past. He has scored hefty runs and has been most consistent batter for team over a period of time. He also plays slog sweep and traditional sweep, can cut and pull pacers. Smart batting, quality batting and acceleration towards end. He accelerated beautifully in last four overs and hit that 200 in Hyderabad ODI", Ashwin said. 

Shikhar Dhawan has been a consistent contributor in terms of runs for Team India in ODI format. Shikhar Dhawan till w has played 167 ODI's and has made 6793 runs at an aver of 44.1. Shikhar has t been in good form in recent times and has been in and out of team. Shikhar was t selected in ODI squad for recent series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. 

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16:19 IST, January 30th 2023