'My focus is on next year’s World Cup' - Shikhar Dhawan aiming to make best use of England ODIs

Team India senior batter Shikhar Dhawan has made it clear that his focus is entirely on the next year’s ODI World Cup that is scheduled to be held in India. Dhawan has been selected to be a part of the Indian team for the upcoming three One Day Internationals against England, the first of which will be played at London’s Kennington Oval on July 12.

Dhawan’s return would mean that passionate cricket fans will get a chance to witness the reunion of the ‘Rohit-Dhawan’ duo.

Dhawan and skipper Rohit Sharma share a wonderful batting camaraderie in One Day Internationals and they are widely regarded as a successful pair in the format.

I’ve loads of experience in the first place: Shikhar Dhawan

“I understand the need to prepare well before a tour, so I make sure to keep focusing on my basics and the method of my preparation. I had been practising for quite some time for the England ODIs and I’m sure I’ll be in fine rhythm in the coming matches,” Dhawan was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

“My focus is definitely on next year’s World Cup and for that, I want to play as many matches as possible for India and do well there. In between, there will be the IPL as well, so I will try to do well there and also look to play the domestic one day and T20 matches,” he added.

“I’ve loads of experience in the first place. Also, I’m quite confident about my basics and technique, which are important facets of an opener. At the same time, a calm mind helps me build my innings and convert them into big scores. That keeps me in a good headspace,” he further said.

The 36-year-old has been discarded from the Indian team’s Test setup since 2018 and does not feature in the T20Is despite showcasing consistent performances in the last three editions of the IPL. The Delhi cricketer as of now only gets a chance to don the Indian jersey in the 50-overs format.

It also needs to be noted that Shikhar Dhawan is playing for the Indian team after February i.e. five months to be precise. He was last seen in action for the Men in Blue during the home ODI series against the West Indies.