Shikhar Dhawan to miss the first three ODIs against Australia
Internet Desk: It was like homecoming for MS Dhoni as he was one of the first few cricketers to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday for the five-match ODI series against Australia that starts here on Sunday.The former Indian captain was welcomed by local fans at the Chennai International airport today morning. Dhoni still continues to rule the hearts of Super Kings fans, leading the franchise to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles along with other glorious feats.
The Indian team management however received a blow as dashing opener Shikhar Dhawan was released for the first three ODI’s against Australia. The Team India opener has requested the board to release him from the team for the first three ODIs of the Australia tour of India, to attend to his wife, who is unwell. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has decided not to name any replacement for Mr Dhawan in Indian Cricket Team.
Talking about MS Dhoni, the former India captain made a grand captaincy debut, leading the country to win the inaugural edition of the World T20 in South Africa in 2007. It scripted the arrival of one of the best captains as he successfully led a young Indian side on a global stage without star players like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. The Ranchi-born cricketer went on to become one of the finest Indian captains, going on to win three ICC tournaments – the Champions Trophy, the World T20 and the ODI World Cup.
Until he relinquished his ODI captaincy in January 2017, he led India to 110 wins from 199 games. The 36 year old cricketer is not getting any younger but his performance in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka is sure to have silenced his critics. His cool head and experience bailed out Virat Kohli and his team from the claws of defeat in the second and third ODI’s to script a series whitewash.
The five match ODI series against Australia will pave a perfect platform for the selectors who are in the lookout of building a core group for the 2019 World Cup in England.
The other members of the Indian team will be assembling in groups in the city. The Men in Blue is likely to hold its first practice session tomorrow.
India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya posted a picture with India skipper Virat Kohli on their way to Chennai today.
Off to Chennai! ✈️
Really excited for the series!
With the skipper himself @imVkohli. pic.twitter.com/QzqsgQTSpr— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) September 14, 2017
Meanwhile, the Australian team had a day of rest after its warm-up match against Board Presdient’s XI on Tuesday and will resume training from Thursday. Steve Smith and his team got the better of the Board President’s XI as they beat them by 103 runs. Marcus Stoinis scored 76 runs to lead Australia to a huge total of 347/7. Captain Steve Smith (55), Travis Head (65) and David Warner (64) all scored half centuries. Left arm spinner Ashton Agar was the successful bowler for the visitors taking 4 wickets for 44 runs.