'I Was Always In The Groove, It's Just That I Wasn't Playing' : Shikhar Dhawan On His Axing From The T20Is

India limited-overs opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan might have missed out on scoring runs in the T20 format against England, but by scoring two half-centuries in the subsequent three ODIs, he proved his mettle. Shikhar Dhawan made scores of 98, 4, and 67 in the ODI series as India clinched the three-match rubber against England. The Delhi-born opener came up with a fitting response of what went through his mind after being dropped for the T20Is.

Shikhar Dhawan lost his spot in the five-match T20I series after the first game only as there was intense competition for places. The stylish southpaw made a single-figure score as Mark Wood dislodged his stumps. India tried Ishan Kishan for the second T20I, while Rohit Sharma was back for the third game, leaving little scope for Dhawan’s return to the top. But Shikhar Dhawan proved in ODIs that he remains a force to reckon with.

Ahead of the ODI series, Virat Kohli stated that even though he and Rohit Sharma opened in the final T20I and did so successfully, Shikhar and Rohit will do in ODIs as they have produced consistently excellent results. And Shikhar did not disappoint as he repaid Kohli’s faiths by getting valuable runs at the top. He was the third-highest run-getter with 169 runs in three innings at 56.33.

I enjoy playing on such bouncy tracks: Shikhar Dhawan

When asked after the third ODI as to what went through his mind after being axed from the T20I team, Shikhar Dhawan stated he was always on the groove even when not playing. The 34-year old conceded that having played in the domestic competitions, it was an excellent match practice for him and he made the most of his opportunities when it arrived. Dhawan also praised the pitch in Pune and enjoys batting on bouncy wickets.

“I was always in the groove, it’s just that I wasn’t playing. Once I got the chance I made the most of it. I was playing domestic cricket – Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare – and that was match practice for me. I’m glad I played those tournaments. The wicket was very good, especially the last two matches and I enjoy playing on such bouncy tracks,” Dhawan said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

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