Shikhar Dhawan had a wonderful season of Indian Premier League with the bat. He scored 497 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad and was among the top ten batsmen in leading run-getter. But unfortunately, Sunrisers lost in the final against Chennai Super Kings and missed to win the title for the second time.
The 32-year old swashbuckling left-hander was participating in Ceat Cricket Rating Award on Monday 28th May where he awarded Ceat international batsman of the year. In an exclusive interview to
TOI, Dhawan said that he is ready for the upcoming overseas challenge. And also talked about India-Afghanistan's historic Test and challenges playing against Rashid Khan.
Here is an interview was given by him to TOI:
How would you sum up the Sunrisers' IPL campaign this time?
It was good. We lost our captain (David Warner) before the tournament began. Then Kane Williamson came along and he had a wonderful season. He's a good captain. I had a good season too. We played in the final, though the result didn't go our way. Overall, we played good cricket and enjoyed the season.
How much of a setback was losing Warner before ball one this season? When he was ruled out, did you expect to be given the captaincy?
Of course, it was a huge setback to lose Warner. He's such a big player. My name was being discussed by people about captaincy, but the (SRH) management thought that Kane was the right choice. That's normal. Williamson is an experienced captain. He's calm, and took the team along, like a family. He's amazing, and he led from the front.
You must have played a lot of Rashid Khan in the Sunrisers nets. How do you see the threat in the Test match against Afghanistan?
Of course. When I played him for the first time, I found him tough to deal with. However, now I'm used to playing him. If I play (in the XI), it'll be a good challenge to play against him. I'll look forward to scoring runs off him!
With Murali Vijay and KL Rahul around, you're never sure of your place in the Test side. How difficult is it to compete with such quality batsmen for a spot in the side?
There's always pressure. There's pressure to retain your spot in every team. It's a good thing for Indian cricket that there's so much competition (for the opening slot). All three of us are experienced. Rahul has done so well in the IPL, and in the (Test) series against Australia before that.
You have a decent pace attack now. Do you think that you'll do well in England this time?
Yes, our team is experienced. Our bowlers are fit. Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) has been rested for the Test against Afghanistan, so he'll be fresh for England. We have other quality bowlers too. So, our bowling and batting both are good. Of course, the English wickets offer a different challenge. The faster we adapt to English conditions, the better it will be. We have to be good in all the departments, and that includes slip catching as well. England is a formidable side at home. We've to play exceptional cricket to beat them.
Your last tour to England (in 2014) wasn't great. You were dropped after failing in the first two Tests. Are you looking to set the record straight this time?
Absolutely. That tour wasn't great, but I learned a lot from that. Now, I'm going to play in England after four years. I've gained a lot of experience in this period. I'm a better player than what I was the first time. I'm confident that this time, I'll do well by the grace of God. Hopefully, things will go my way.
Are you hopeful that your captain, Virat Kohli, too will do well in England, unlike the last time?
Of course. The good thing is that all our batsmen are technically sound. They all have a burning desire (to do well). Sab like dil she khelte hain (everyone plays with a passion). Everyone tries to do well. I don't think anyone wouldn't want to do well. Everyone wants to be a hero of a match, and God willing, that will happen.
In South Africa, you were dropped after failing in the first Test. How frustrating was that?
That's part of the game. The (team) management would have felt that KL was a better option than me at that moment. Of course, it was hard (on me) at that point, but you have to take it in your stride and keep working. So, when I was dropped, I was working on my fitness and in the nets. When I got a chance in the ODIs, I did well. I was happy at the end of the day.
You have a fantastic One-day record, but do you think you can do better in Test cricket?
Of course. It's not that my Test record is bad presently. I have an average of 42, and I've played Tests consistently for the last four-five years. I hope in my journey ahead from here, I improve my Test record. According to me, an average of 42 is also good. Maybe, it isn't for you! In the ODIs, my average is 44-45, so 42 is good. Till now, I have played only 20-30 Tests, so it takes time. Everything takes time. Of course, I could have done well. I did my best. Sometimes it worked for me, sometimes it didn't. Now with more experience, I am sure that things are going to go my way more.
How do you manage to raise your game and deliver so consistently in the big tournaments, be it World Cup or the Champions Trophy?
See, I am a big believer in process. I have the same attitude even if I play here, or in an ICC tournament. Naturally, my records have been good in ICC events, but it's not like that I play there with a different attitude. I play with the same attitude, the same way, whether I play in the IPL or the Ranji Trophy or for the Indian team.
You wife wasn't keeping too well in recent times? How tough has this phase been for you in that sense?
I knew that she was to be operated, so I wanted to be there (last year). And I was there for her. At that particular moment, I felt that was more important than cricket. It's not like I don't value cricket, but at that moment it was necessary for me to be there for my wife, so I chose to do that. Of course, I missed playing then, but then when I came back, I started playing again.
Who's your favourite batsman in international cricket?
AB de Villiers. He's a great batsman and more than that he's a gem of a person too. A great leader. I have learned a lot of things by just watching him. I'm happy that I played against him.
Any targets that you have set for yourself?
Nothing as such. There's a lot of cricket left in me now. I want to do better and better for me, and for the country. I want to keep playing for as long as I can because I made it to the Indian team late in my career. I still have that passion within me. I know I can achieve a lot more. I want to make up for that lost time. Meri book Abhi baaki hai (I'm still hungry for more success).
With the packed overseas season for the next one year, Team India will be hoping that Shikhar Dhawan keeps continuing his fine form. Before going to England, India will play against Afghanistan's first ever Test match, starting from June 14. After that India will play 3 T20s against Ireland in Ireland before heading to Englan for 3 T20s, 3 ODIs, and 5 Tests
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