"If Dinesh Karthik can comeback, why not Shikhar Dhawan" - Suresh Raina questions selectors regarding squad selection for SA T20Is

India will host the South African team for five-match T20I series starting from June 09, just ten days after the conclusion of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. And on Sunday, the Indian selection committee has announced the 18-member squad for the Indian team against the Proteas.

Notably, senior players have been given a break as they will travel to the UK for a one-off Test and white-ball series, while some new faces will get their first chance in the team. The likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson, and Rahul Tripathi have been ignored once again after their consistent performance in the ongoing IPL season.

KL Rahul will lead the team, and Rishabh Pant will be the vice-captain. However, the veteran wicket-keeper batsman, Dinesh Karthik, has made his comeback to the side after almost three years. But the exclusion of Shikhar Dhawan has raised some eyebros.

Former Indian batsman, Suresh Raina, felt that Dhawan was also a deserving candidate who should have been picked in the team. The former CSK captain has asked the BCCI why, if they can pick Karthik, why not Dhawan, who has performed admirably for Punjab Kings this season.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Raina said, "I feel Shikhar Dhawan should have been picked. He is a good team man, a jolly person who keeps team environment happy and if Dinesh Karthik can make a comeback, why not Shikhar Dhawan." 

The Southpaw played his last T20I in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, when he led Team India in the white-ball series. This season, he has scored the most runs for PBKS. Dhawan has scored 460 runs in 14 games at a decent average of 38.33 and is the fourth highest run-scorer in the list.