Shikhar Dhawan's Twilight Zone

It became increasingly apparent that Dhawan’s chances to restore a sense of permanency about his presence in India’s Test playing eleven may be quickly evaporating...

- Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

As team India rejoiced in the series whitewash victory over New Zealand in Indore, one man was conspicuous by his absence. Injury ruled Shikhar Dhawan out of contention and subsequently out of the celebrations at the end of the third Test. However, of greater concern to him would be the fact that the competition at the top of India’s batting order is becoming an increasingly agonizing one for him in India’s Test squad.

To say Shikhar Dhawan’s fortunes with the bat, particularly in Test cricket, have been a rollercoaster would be an understatement. If anything, as India completed the first assignment in their thirteen home Tests schedule, it became increasingly apparent that Dhawan’s chances to restore a sense of permanency about his presence in India’s Test playing eleven may be quickly evaporating.

One would not think that would even be a possibility with India facing up to thirteen Tests at home in this one cricket season alone. As India’s Test captain, Kohli has made no bones about the fact that he would have preferred Dhawan in his playing eleven simply because the captain believes that Dhawan can single handedly change the complexion of the match, one of the factors that actually won Dhawan a place in the team in the first place back in 2013. But things are looking decidedly different for Shikhar Dhawan towards the end of 2016.