Salman Butt Wants Indian Cricket Team To Consider Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane For World Cup

FORMER Pakistan captain Salman Butt wants the Indian cricket team to consider out-of-favour batters Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane for the World Cup 2023. Butt feels India should rely on experience rather than backing the youngsters for the mega event.

Butt suggested that Shikhar Dhawan could open for India alongside Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill. “They will need Shikhar Dhawan on top. I don’t see any of the top-order batters, among right-handers, who can open as good as him. Either Shikhar and Shubman (Gill) can open and Rohit (Sharma) comes one down, or Rohit can open with Shikhar,” said Butt on his YouTube channel.

The former cricketer also said that India should play Ajinkya Rahane or KL Rahul at number 6. “They will need experience in World Cup. They also need a guy in at number 6, either it’s KL Rahul or (Ajinkya) Rahane. When there’s pressure, the youngsters stutter. You need experience,” said Butt.

Shikhar Dhawan’s Return To Indian Team Unlikely

Shikhar Dhawan has been out of the Indian team for a while and does not seem to be in contention for the World Cup spot, especially after being ignored for the ODI series against West Indies.

KL Rahul has also been out of the team owing to injury but is on his way to recovery and is likely to find a spot in the World Cup squad. Rahane showed good form in IPL 2023 but that will not be enough to earn him a place in the World Cup squad.

The World Cup is set to get underway on October 5, with England taking on New Zealand. India vs Pakistan will take place on October 14 in Ahmedabad. The match was rescheduled due to Navratri.

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