T20 World Cup 2021: Shikhar Dhawan vs KL Rahul as opener, Washington Sundar fitness on selectors mind

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are the two first-choice openers when it comes to the shortest format, and another option is to have Virat opening alongside Rohit, if the management wants to play Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3. But one cannot rule out the experienced Shikhar Dhawan when it comes to ICC events.

The All-India Senior Selection Committee is all set to convene on Wednesday (September 8) to pick India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and all eyes will be on whether the selectors and team management decide to back currently injured Washington Sundar to get fit in time for the showpiece event. Along with the original squad, the selectors will also pick travelling reserves who will go to the UAE alongside the 15-member squad as per COVID-19 protocols. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are the two first-choice openers when it comes to the shortest format, and another option is to have Virat opening alongside Rohit, if the management wants to play Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3. But one cannot rule out the experienced Shikhar Dhawan when it comes to ICC events. So this combination leaves it hard for Dhawan to find a place in the lineup and it needs to be seen whether the selectors are brave enough to back Dhawan as opener and play KL Rahul lower down the order. Dhawan’s case has in recent times been also weakened as Prithvi Shaw has been doing well and has found the support of the team management.