India's opening goal scorer Shikhar Dhawan has declared Virat Kohli the best header in the world while picking his dream international team of the year. India will participate in the 2023 Asian Cup, which begins on August 30.
Speaking at the ICC Review, Dhawan called Kohli the best striker in the world when he picked him in his dream ODI XI squad. Dhawan has also picked India captain Rohit Sharma, saying he is a proven player on the big stage. Kohli is India's top scorer at the Asian Cup, accumulating 1042 points in 21 games in the ODI and T20I formats. “The first (chosen) was, of course, Virat. He is the best scorer in the world and has scored like crazy. Rohit is a very experienced customer. He's scored a lot of points in the ICC and bilateral tournaments (series) and he's a proven player (on the big stage)," Dhawan said.
He then picked Australian pacemakers, Mitchell Starc and Rashid Khan in his 11-team squad, saying the Afghan spinning athlete will have a lot of impact in India during the World. Cup and choose a lot of excellent players. Rashid has won 167 goals in 89 ODIs for Afghanistan, while Starc picked 219 goals in 110 ODIs.
“I would pick Mitchell Starc because he is one of the best fast pitchers (in the world). The fourth player will be Rashid Khan with his mysterious act. I'm sure it will be very, very impactful (in India) and need a lot of support," added Dhawan.
Attacker Southpaw chose South Africa's Kagiso Rabada to team up with Starc in his ODI XI because he's a right-hander. Rabada picked 137 shots in 89 ODI games for South Africa and played against Dhawan at the Punjab Kings in the IPL. "I won't pick Shaheen Afridi because then there will be two left-arm speeders, so I'll pick Rabada. Rabada has extreme speed and bounce that will make batters rush," concluded Dhawan.
India will face Pakistan in the opening match of the 2023 Asian Cup at Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy on September 2.
