Shikhar Dhawan is humbled on being praised by Sachin Tendulkar

On Sunday, during the match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, opening partners Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan became the second most successful opening pair for the team in ODIs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. While Sehwag and Tendulkar shared 12 hundred plus opening partnerships, Dhawan and Rohit now have 13. Among the top 5 most successful opening pairs in ODIs, three are Indians. Sachin and Sourav Ganguly lead the chart with 21 hundred-plus opening stands.

On Sunday, Dhawan and Rohit combined for a 210-run partnership against Pakistan, which is also the highest opening stand against the Men in Green in the history of ODI cricket. Impressed by the way the duo batted which helped India register a 9-wicket win, Tendulkar tweeted to the two and mentioned that the exhibition of batting they put up was a real treat to watch.

Here is Sachin’s post:

“Congratulations on your 100s @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25. Such clean hitting! Always a joy to watch you both in full flow,” Master Blaster wrote.

Congratulations on your 100s @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25. Such clean hitting! Always a joy to watch you both in full flow. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/yxzFEGtDak

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 23, 2018

Dhawan was prompt in his reply to the legend, and he wrote back, “Thank you @sachin_rt paaji. Appreciation coming from you is always a great motivation for us”

Thank you @sachin_rt paaji. Appreciation coming from you is always a great motivation for us 🙏🏼 https://t.co/C28b740Pf6

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) September 24, 2018

India restricted Pakistan to 237/7 before chasing down the target in 39.3 overs. While Dhawan hit 114 from 100 balls before he was run out, Rohit ended on 111 not out from 119 balls. This was Rohit’s 19th ODI hundred, and the partnership between the two was their fourth highest first-wicket stand against anyone in the ODI format.

What remains in the tournament

In the other Super Four game in Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh beat Afghanistan in a final-over thriller. So now Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, in what can be called a virtual semi-final. The winner of the game will face off against India in the final. Before that, India will play Afghanistan in Dubai in their final Super Four game on Tuesday.

For all the latest cricket news and other updates follow CricTracker.