Reports: Shikhar Dhawan likely to take a break during the last leg of Australia ODIs

India and Australia seem set to renew their rivalry in the upcoming two T20 Internationals and five-match ODI series. Both the teams are looking to fine-tune their teams ahead of the World Cup and most importantly the hosts are looking to finalise a couple of spots besides resting their top players. The vice-captain of India, Rohit Sharma, looks set to be rested while the regular skipper Virat Kohli will be back to lead the team.

According to the reports in the Times of India, Shikhar Dhawan has also asked for a break during the last leg of the ODI series against Australia. The selection panel led by MSK Prasad is likely to announce the squad on Friday evening and they might pick the ODI squad only for the first three matches which has been the norm previously in the home series for the Men in Blue. Dhawan, in that case, might be rested for the last two matches.

Shikhar Dhawan hasn’t played a big knock in the recent ODIs. He didn’t look out of form either but the selectors would be hoping that he gets back into his groove in the early part of the series against Australia. It will also be interesting to see if Dhawan’s request is obliged as a lot of cricket will be played ahead with the IPL also coming up.

Rahul and Rahane to come back?

Meanwhile, MSK Prasad recently cleared that both KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane are in contention for a World Cup spot. They might be given one last chance to present their case in the upcoming series against Australia. With Rohit also being rested one of them, will surely get a chance at the start of the series and if Dhawan is rested, then both can fight it out for the spot by batting together at the top.

The first of the two T20Is is set to be played on February 24 while the ODI series will commence on March 2 in Hyderabad.

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