Shikhar Dhawan lauds youngsters like Prithvi Shaw for creating healthy competition in the team

India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with a convincing 8-wicket win in the first ODI at Napier. It was an easy target for Team India but New Zealand had a quality bowling attack. Shikhar Dhawan scored an unbeaten 75 to ensure that India did not suffer any hiccups while chasing the modest target. He talked about the healthy competition for the paces ahead of the second ODI in Mount Maunganui.

Shikhar Dhawan gave the example of Prithvi Shaw who impressed on his debut Test series against Windies at home. He further added that the team is performing very and there is no dearth of talent on the bench.

“Take the case of Prithvi Shaw, the way he came into the Test team and scored a century and then 70 runs. Everyone has to be on their toes. Our team has been performing very well. Our bench strength is also very strong,” Dhawan said as quoted by India Today

Dhawan also became the fourth fastest batsman to score 5000 runs in the history of the ODI cricket during his 75-run knock in Napier. Along with this record, he surpassed the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Graeme Smith to become the joint fastest left-handed batsman to reach the milestone. The opener admitted that he is happy with the achievement but he is looking forward to doing well for the team in the future.

Dhawan on reaching the milestone

“This milestone is part of the journey. I am happy to achieve it and will be looking forward to scoring more runs for my team and do well consistently. Once you get the experience, you take the things with ease and you know what to do and what not to do. I back my instinct and know my technique suits. It is a mental adjustment… once I am at the pitch I create a plan in that particular moment,” the 33-year-old added on Friday.

Shikhar Dhawan revealed that the plan for the top-order is to stay at the crease for as long as possible. He admitted that the plans also depends on the target and the pitch, so they need to be flexible with the tactics. He also argued that he can’t take his time when the target is more than 300 because building momentum is very important to chase such scores.

“We (Virat Kohli and I) rotate the strike very well, that is one thing that keeps the pressure off. If one hits the boundary, it boosts the other, We always plan that our top order scores more and stays longer at the pitch. But it also depends on the target, match to match, score to score and a little bit on the mood. If the target is 300 or plus, we cannot play slow. In the first 10 overs as an opener we have to put up scores quickly and create momentum,” The Delhi cricketer signed off.

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