Shikhar Dhawan to play against Rajasthan in next round of Ranji Trophy

Fit-again Shikhar Dhawan is all set to make a comeback in the domestic circuit for his state side Delhi when they take on Rajasthan in their upcoming encounter. The 31-year old Indian opening batsman had been out of the squad following the thumb injury he suffered in the second Test match against New Zealand at Kolkata.

KP Bhaskar, the coach of the Delhi cricket team also went on to state that Dhawan had completed his rehab as well as a final check up and was well and truly available to play the Ranji Trophy encounter against Rajasthan at Wayanad. Bhaskar also believes that the squad will be bolstered by the same.

“Shikhar has fully recovered from the left thumb fracture and is fit to play competitive cricket again. His rehab is also complete and has gone back to National Cricket Academy for a final check-up. He has told me that he will be joining the squad directly in Wayanad from Bengaluru. Shikhar’s presence will certainly bolster the side,” Bhaskar said during the training session on the day.

Shikhar Dhawan’s injury in the second Test match in Kolkata paved the way for his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir to be selected on the side. The latter, however, has come under a lot of criticism of late when he failed to make an impact in the first Test match against England at Rajkot, an encounter which saw the Indians fight for scraps and then go on to secure a draw.

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However, the second Test at Vizag is expected to be one which sees the Indian spinner profit a lot from the spin and the dryness of the wicket.

Dhawan’s scores in his last three Test appearances are 1, 26, 29, 29, 1 and 17, which does not exactly inspire the confidence of highest order. Moreover, given the fact that KL Rahul has made a comeback to arms in recent times, it seems quite clear that of the four openers available, Shikhar Dhawan will be involved in a fight nonetheless.