‘Merko koi darr nahi’- Team India ODI skipper Shikhar Dhawan makes bold admission on captaincy ahead of New Zealand series

India are set to cross swords with hosts New Zealand in a three-match ODI series after the successful T20I series win against the home team. Shikhar Dhawan, who has been appointed to take over the leadership role in the 50-over format against the Kiwis made an interesting claim on the captaincy query.

Dhawan has also been appointed as the skipper for the IPL franchise- Punjab Kings, as he takes over the role from former captain Mayank Agarwal, who has been released ahead of the mini-auction. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo about his leadership roles, Dhawan made a rather bold admission stating that he was not ‘afraid’ of taking up the role and the risks of losing it.

"Jobs come and go, no worries. Humne khaali haath aana hai, khaali haath hi jaana hai. Yeh sab toh yahin reh jaana hai. To uska merko koi darr nahi. (We come into the world empty-handed and leave empty-handed. All this just remains here. I don't feel any fear about losing the job),” said Dhawan.

“Just because I'm the captain, I don't want to put that load on myself, saying ‘Okay, I have to do it this way or that way.’ I will just play the game based on our team goals, based on what the team demands, what it needs," added the newly appointed skipper.

India will look to clinch ODI series under Shikhar Dhawan

After the successful series win under Hardik Pandya in the three T20Is, the Men in Blue will be hopeful of adding another trophy to their cabinet under the likes of Dhawan. While many players such as Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Umran Malik, and Kuldeep Yadav will be gearing up to get a spot in the playing XI ahead of the series, it remains to be seen what transpires.

Following the three-match ODI series that is set to conclude on November 30, team India will jet off to the neighbouring land of Bangladesh for the ODI and Test series.