Shikhar Dhawan likely to take a break during last leg of ODI series versus Australia: Report

Just a few hours left before the selectors announce the Indian squad for the limited-overs series against Australia in what has been hailed as sort of final audition for the remaining slots before the World Cup squad is announced, and reports emerge that Shikhar Dhawan might take a break during the last leg of the ODI series against Australia. Among the obvious names to be rested is Rohit Sharma after the arduous tour of Australia and New Zealand, while Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are slated to return after the well-deserved rest.

As per a report on Times of India, Rohit will miss the two-match T20I series against Australia that starts February 24, while Dhawan will be taking a break during the last leg of the five-match ODI series that starts March 2. The left-hander has scored 243 runs in eight ODI innings he played in 2019 which includes only two half-centuries. The Australia series could prove to be a good last-gasp preparation for Dhawan who has fared only average after an array of cameo innings this year.

Well, the absence of Rohit at the start and Dhawan towards the end leaves KL Rahul with the perfect opportunity to seal his spot as the reserve opener. He was sent to play with India A after returning from suspension over the controversial Koffee With Karan episode and he fared well in the last two innings he played for India A against England Lions in the unofficial Tests scoring 89 and 81.

Rahul has had a disappointing 2018 where he scored 69 runs in three ODI matches which includes a duck as well. And even after returning from the suspension, he scored 55 runs in the List A matches he played for India A before following it up with 89 and 81 in first-class cricket against England Lions.

Apart from KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant will be expected to come into the fray for World Cup preparations along with Ajinkya Rahane. For Pant, he will be in the race for a middle-order batsman, while Rahane, who last played ODIs against South Africa last year, can be seen as a back-up No.4 batsman.