Shikhar Dhawan is undoubtedly one of the most loved cricketers of the last decade. From his flamboyant shots to his chilled attitude on the field – Gabbar is a fan favorite. Thus his absence in the World T20 squad was quite a shock for his followers.
With Rahul and Rohit sealing their spots as openers, the 35-year-old Delhi batter may have represented India for the last time in T20 already. Yet it’s not all over for Dhawan in T20 considering his consistent performance in the previous editions of IPL. With the big mega auction coming up soon, Shikhar Dhawan in all probability looks to hog the limelight.
Mega Auction – Mega Surprises
The auction will see the addition of two new teams representing Ahmedabad and Lucknow in the league. Shikhar Dhawan has played for multiple franchises from Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad to his present team Delhi Capitals.
He has been a part of the cash-rich league since its inception and has represented India on 247 occasions in International Cricket. In a young team like Delhi Capitals, Dhawan’s experience is invaluable in crunch situations.
But will DC retain Dhawan for the next IPL?
With matchwinners like Rabada, Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Nortje and Stoinis, Delhi Capitals think tank might just have to take a tough call on Dhawan this time. Shikhar Dhawan, though a prolific run-scorer, is not a hard-hitter who could clear ropes at his will.
His strike rate has dipped over the years which also lead to his exclusion in the Indian side. With age not on his side, he is least likely to be in the scheme of things of Ricky Ponting and the franchise.
Shikhar Dhawan – the center of bidding wars for IPL 15?
That’s where things are going to be exciting! Dhawan may not make the cut for DC but is probably the most sought-after player for any other franchise. An Indian cricketer of his caliber and experience, Dhawan can probably be one of the most expensive buys in the mega auction.
The new franchises will look for a dependable captain and Dhawan will be a perfect choice. After playing the IPL all these years, Dhawan is well aware of all the challenges the league presents.
The 14th edition of IPL saw Shikhar Dhawan as the top contenders for the Orange Cap and he ended the season as the 4th highest run-getter. Thus, Dhawan may not be at his prime yet but has not lost his shine.
The history of IPL auction has seen senior players like Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Karthik bagging the most lucrative contracts in the league, Dhawan might be a worthy addition to that list in near future.
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