Shikhar Dhawan’s Desire: Shikhar Dhawan is an integral part of India’s one-day international team; yet, he considers he does have a lot to contribute to the Twenty20 format, and he wishes to keep playing in that format for the next 3 years. The 36-year-old batsman has had another productive run, scoring 421 runs for Punjab Kings (PBKS) with only one game left to play in the Indian Premier League 2022.
His efficiency with the bat in hand has been the dazzling point of his play, as he has not had a single season in the IPL since 2016 in which he scored just under 300 runs. It came as a surprise when Dhawan was not included in India’s final group for the Twenty20 World Cup, despite the fact that he had scored runs and led India on a tour to Sri Lanka the previous year.
The competition for a spot on the Indian squad is heating up, but it seems probable that Dhawan will make his comeback to Twenty20 cricket in the series that India will play at home against South Africa beginning on June 9.
Although Rahul Dravid was assigned the role of head coach for the Indian side, he was a member of the squad that Shikhar Dhawan captained during the One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals that were played versus Sri Lanka.
I still feel that I can contribute in the shortest format: Shikhar Dhawan’s Desire
“Though I remain an integral part of the team, I still feel that I can contribute in the shortest format because of my experience. I have been quite doing well in the T20 format. Whatever role I have been given I have done well. I have managed to stay consistent in the formats that I am playing, whether it is the IPL or at the domestic level and I am enjoying it. Consistency is not only about scoring fifties or hundreds frequently, but also about maintaining even gaps between such scores,” said Dhawan.
Although India triumphed in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series by a score of 2-1, they were defeated in the One-Day International (ODI) series as Dhawan was forced due to COVID emergence with players who had been left on the bench. However, he asserted that he has an optimistic outlook for the years to come and that he would wait for the authorities to make a decision.
“I am a very positive person. It was a dream come true for me to lead the team last year. For the T20 World Cup, they thought the (chosen) players were better than me and fair enough. Whatever decision selectors make, I respect that. That happens in life. You accept it and keep doing your job. I only focus on what is in my control and try to make the most of the opportunities that I get,” Dhawan said.
“We as cricketers have to remain on our toes and fit to be relevant in the race to represent India. I am playing for the next three years at least. I have been batting quite well for the past few years, I am hopeful and positive that the way I am performing, there are many milestones to achieve”, he added.
The productive hitter is certain that his accomplishment will earn him a chance to serve his nation by donning the blues and doing great things in the future.
