Shikhar Dhawan has not been able to convert his starts into significant big scores for India in the last few matches – something he had mastered and made a habit previously.
The left-hander has just managed to score 159 runs in his last 8 innings at a poor average of 19.87.
His average of 20.57 in the 2018/19 season (starting with the West Indies home series) is his worst for any season (min. 5 innings) since his ODI debut. Dhawan has clocked an average of over 40 in all the previous seasons – thus the downfall this time is quite glaring.
He has three single-digit scores, one score in the 20s and three scores in the 30s – clearly indicating that either he is getting out early or even if he is getting a start he is not being able to convert it into a substantial contribution for the team.
Not only is he not scoring big runs, the rate at which he is scoring them is also his slowest in 4 years – though at 92.90 it is still at par with the norm.
Shikhar Dhawan has not been able to face above 50 deliveries in even one of the seven ODIs he has played this season - a sign that he is struggling to settle down and is not comfortable at the wicket. In three of these matches, Dhawan failed to stay at the crease for even 10 deliveries.
Since 2010, only three Indian openers have averaged lower than Dhawan in a single season having played a minimum of 5 innings.
Shikhar Dhawan has not been able to face above 50 deliveries in even one of the seven ODIs he has played this season - a sign that he is struggling to settle down and is not comfortable at the wicket. In three of these matches, Dhawan failed to stay at the crease for even 10 deliveries.
Since 2010, only three Indian openers have averaged lower than Dhawan in a single season having played a minimum of 5 innings.
Openers have averaged 34.18 in the 2018/19 season with 8 tons and 15 half-centuries. Dhawan is way behind the norm this season.
Having said that, he looked in good touch against Australia in Adelaide before being dismissed. India would hope that Dhawan returns to his best in the next few matches. In a World Cup year, the starts he provides and his big-runs are crucial if India want to go all the way in England.
Having said that, he looked in good touch against Australia in Adelaide before being dismissed. India would hope that Dhawan returns to his best in the next few matches. In a World Cup year, the starts he provides and his big-runs are crucial if India want to go all the way in England.
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