Follow UsShikhar Dhawan is unarguably one of the best One-Day International batters India have ever produced. The left-handed opener has amassed 6325 runs in 149 innings at an average of 45.17, studded with 17 centuries and 35 fifties. This is the only format he plays these days, and will be captaining India in the forthcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies, starting on Friday (July 22).
In ODIs since 2020, the 36-year-old has slammed 807 runs in 18 innings at an impressive average of 50.44. No other Indian batter has scored more runs than Dhawan in this time frame. However, he could only manage 41 runs in the three-match ODI series in England and looked slightly out of touch. And, all of a sudden, people have started talking about his place in the ODI set-up but Dhawan is not too worried about the outside noise.
“I don't feel odd, I have heard it for 10 years. People keep talking, I keep performing. I wouldn't have reached here if I would have cared what they are saying. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I just want to focus on my job. I have enough experience, so one or two bad games don’t really affect me. I just want to keep improving,” he said ahead of the first ODI at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain on Friday (July 22).
“You will always have pressure in international cricket but that doesn’t mean I need to change my personality. I don’t have to change the way I play my cricket. I have a lot of self-belief in myself, and even the team. I know they will give their best and always try to win.
“I am a very positive person and I have been like this for many years. I have been playing for so many years, and done lots of good things and that’s why I am still here. I can share my experiences with them and also bring an impact to their game. I hope some of my positivity rubs off on the youngsters as well.”
India have been forced to train indoors because of constant rain in Port of Spain but Dhawan feels all the players have enough experience to get on the field and get the job done. The Men in Blue will be without their regular skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, while Ravindra Jadeja too is likely to miss the first ODI because of a niggle.
"We are a balanced side with experienced players like Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur and I am excited to lead this crop of players which also includes youngsters. You also have someone like Suryakumar who is slightly new to international cricket but has been playing cricket for many years," said Dhawan.
“They are quite self-motivated and they have done well for their respective states and IPL teams. We discuss a lot of cricket including technical stuff. There is a lot to learn from them as well. That way you create a bond as well. I can share my experiences with them and also bring an impact to their game.
“These guys visiting the West Indies are obviously young and mature as well. At the same time, they will be getting exposure to playing in the Caribbean and have played in the IPL as well. So, with that entire experience, and youthfulness, I guess, we’ll have a great series.”
Talking about his relationship with head coach Rahul Dravid, Dhawan said: "I have a very good relationship with Rahul Dravid. We had been to Sri Lanka (last year) and bonded well there. There is an understanding, which is very good.
"I feel my energy and nature are such that we're all together. That liveliness within the group creates a good bond. There's always fun and games, and a lot of laughter. Earlier, we had team dinners and team activities. Now, we do reels too. If people are happy with it, it makes us happy (laughs)."