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Shikhar Dhawan (Image Credit: Twitter)
India's opening batter Shikhar Dhawan is known as Mr. World Event over the years. His first Global Event was the Champions Trophy 2013 in which he was the highest run-getter. The team also won the tournament, winning every game including the two warm-ups. Four years later, even though the team failed to defend the title, Dhawan was once again the highest run-getter.
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Apart from this, the left-hander has played two ODI World Cups in 2015 and 2019. In his first WC, the Punjab Kings skipper in the IPL scored most runs for India. He started well in the 2019 edition but was ruled out due to thumb injury. Meanwhile, in this listicle, we will discuss three instances when the Men In Blue missed him during a World Event.
Three instance when India missed Shikhar Dhawan
3. Semifinal one between India and New Zealand
Ahead of the knockout game, the Asian side finished at the top of the table with only one loss, against the eventual champions, England. Meanwhile, in what was a two-day affair due to rain, the Blackcaps won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite the team losing wickets, they managed to get 239. In reply, the then Virat Kohli-led side lost six wickets for 92 runs. While the top-order and middle-order collapsed, the team missed a player such as Dhawan. In the end, the Kane Williamson-led won to reach the final.
2. Super 12 match between India and Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2021
Ahead of this game, the Men In Blue had a 100 percent win record. However, thanks to Shaheen Afridi and his bowling mates, the Indian team was restricted to 152 runs. In reply, the then Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan helped the team win the game by 10 wickets. Once again, the fans might wonder what if Dhawan played for the team in that tournament.
1. ODI World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia
10 months ahead of the tournament, the Indian team selectors decided to let go of Dhawan and Shubman Gill replaced him. The latter played in the ODI World Cup 2023. In the final, the right-hander failed with the bat alongside other players and the team was bowled out for 240. In the end, the team lost by six wickets. One can say that if Dhawan played ahead of Gill, things might have been different.