Essex vs India: Shikhar Dhawan bags a pair in the practice game

Team India is currently busy playing in the only warm-up game ahead of the gruelling Test series against England. The team management is hoping for their best batsmen to get a decent outing before the series opener in Birmingham. But they will surely be worried about the form of Shikhar Dhawan now as he failed to score even a single run against Essex in two innings.

The left-hander, who is expected to open alongside Murali Vijay in the first match, bagged a pair and was unable to counter the new ball. While he was dismissed behind the wickets off the very first delivery by Matt Coles in the first innings, Matthew Quinn castled him in the second attempt.

The third day of the practice game is currently and it was a great opportunity for Dhawan to get his confidence back. But he was squared up by Quinn with a beautiful delivery which pitched on leg-stump and then did enough to clip the top of off-stump. The southpaw had no idea of what transpired and had to leave the field without even scoring a run in the match.

1️⃣ Bravo, @Quinny_Cricket! 👏

…Dhawan goes for 0. #ESSvIND pic.twitter.com/qi2Ba35x3f

— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 27, 2018

Will Dhawan play?

On the basis of the current form which is given more importance in the current set-up of the team, Shikhar Dhawan might well be dropped from the team for the first Test. KL Rahul can be tipped to open with Murali Vijay as both of them scored half-centuries in the first innings. They should decent technique against the swinging ball and could stride out together in Birmingham to bat.

As far as the ongoing match is concerned, Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara are at the crease and the former got off the mark after 21 deliveries. The duo is looking comfortable in the middle and it would be ideal for the visitors if they spend more time.

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