“I Wasn’t Hurt”: Shikhar Dhawan on Being Removed as Captain for Zimbabwe Series at Last Minute

Ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.

Questions to Shikhar Dhawan about how he felt when replaced as the captain of the Zimbabwe series at the last minute.

Shikhar Dhawan leading the side.

Team India will next be facing off against New Zealand in a three-match ODI series on Friday in Auckland. Third time in 2022 that Dhawan would be leading the side. As he earlier led the side during the West Indies ODI series. Also, the home ODI series against South Africa. It is important to mention that the cricketer was also named captain of the Zimbabwe series as well. But at the last minute, KL Rahul came back into the side.

Ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand. Dhawan was asked about how he felt when he was removed as the captain for the Zimbabwe series at the last minute.

“You have asked a good question. I consider myself fortunate that I am getting an opportunity to lead the side at this stage of my career. I feel good about it and it is a challenge. We have won good series with a young side. If I talk about the Zimbabwe tour, KL Rahul is the vice-captain of our main team, when he came back, I was mindful of the fact that he had to go to Asia Cup. After that KL might led the side. So it was better that he had the practice during the Zimbabwe tour,” Dhawan said during a pre-match press conference.

Shikhar Dhawan Quotes:

“I was not hurt. I feel that whatever happens, happens for the best. Also, I was then selected as the captain for the South Africa series. The team management gave me that opportunity. I never feel bad,”

While Talking about the 2023 World Cup, and how having options such as himself, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to open might prove as a headache for the team, Dhawan said: “We guys have been performing well for a period of time. At the same time, talking about myself, I have to keep performing. I know till the time I perform, it would be good for me. It keeps me on my toes and keeps me hungry.”

When asked about how he ensures that mental health stays in top shape in this social media age, Dhawan said:

“On social media, there is a lot of trolling. He quotes, smart people know how to go about using social media. And it totally depends on our performance. When you know it, there is no need of looking into it. That’s how I deal with it.”