Selectors have decided Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan as openers for 2023 ODI World Cup: Saba Karim

When India and South Africa square off in the second ODI encounter in Ranchi, Shihar Dhawan, the stand-in captain of India, will have his work cut out for him. A loss here would be the end for Dhawan and his team because India previously lost the first game in Lucknow. The visitors handed India a 9-run defeat to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Speaking of 'end', it's reasonable to believe that Shikhar Dhawan's T20I career is done, but the same can not be said of him in the ODI format, as he is a regular figure in the 50-over game. Former India wicketkeeper, and also a former selector, Saba Karim s certain that Dhawan will play for India in the 2023 World Cup and open the batting lineup alongside Rohit Sharma.

“Shikhar Dhawan’s place in the team has been confirmed. There’s no need to put pressure on him all the time. There will be one or two matches where he won’t score runs. I think the selectors have decided that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will be the openers in the next 50-over World Cup," he said on India News.

But Hardik Pandya is a batting all-rounder, while Shardul Thakur is a bowling all-rounder: Karim

In addition, he added that Shardul Thakur, 30, might lose his spot against Hardik Pandya because the former is not a strike pacer in ODIs. In addition to having stronger all-around talents, Pandya also has the capacity to bat in the middle order, according to him. In contrast, Thakur's batting has had its ups and downs.

“He is a very useful player. But Hardik Pandya is a batting all-rounder, while Shardul Thakur is a bowling all-rounder. That’s a big difference. We can surely groom Shardul. But I don’t see him becoming India’s No.1 of No.2 bowler in white-ball cricket. He can only play as a third seamer. If he can bat well, it will be an added advantage,” Karim added.

The selection process will be made more difficult by Deepak Chahar's absence for the second ODI in Ranchi, which is a do-or-die game for the Men in Blue.