Asia Cup 2018, India vs Hong Kong: Just Played the Ball on Its Merit: Shikhar Dhawan

India tasted their first victory of Asia Cup 2018 but not before Hong Kong gave them a reality check with a remarkable fighting spirit at Dubai International Stadium. They harboured hopes of one of the major upsets in the cricketing world even after a brilliant hundred from southpaw Shikhar Dhawan.

However, the Indian experience came into the play at the final moments of the game as they sealed the match by 26 runs.

Earlier in the day, it was a great knock from Dhawan which laid a foundation for a big score. However, the Hong Kong bowlers made a terrific comeback in the final ten overs conceding only 48 runs.

India began pretty well with a partnership of 45 runs between Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. It was a horrible shot from the skipper which brought an end to his knock.

Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu then shared a partnership of 116 runs which got India back on track. Dhawan looked in great touch and struck 15 fours and a couple of sixes during his knock of 127 off 120 deliveries.

The weather conditions were very challenging for both the teams with temperatures touching 40 degrees Celsius.

Eventually, India managed a score of 285 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Hong Kong was always going to find it difficult to chase the target down.

However, they started off quite brilliantly and harboured hopes of even chasing the target down especially when openers Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath, who shared a sensational stand of 174 runs which gave Hong Kong a big chance of scripting history. It would have been a big moment for Hong Kong Cricket (HKC).

Debutant Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of three for 48.

However, the Indian experience came into the picture and the Hong Kong batsmen didn’t have the depth to chase the target down.

Khaleel was at his exceptional best and made a memorable debut. He bagged three crucial wickets at crucial junctures of the game. Eventually, it helped India claw their way back into the match. He could well be an option when India faces Pakistan in the all-important clash.

Now, here is what Man of Match Shikhar Dhawan said at the post-match presentation

“I was doing my process [while] I was being patient. I knew runs will come and had the belief in my process. And I was not taking an extra risk today. Just played the ball on its merit. One of their bowlers did not bowl that quickly. But he landed it in right areas to keep it tight,” Dhawan stated.

Shikhar Dhawan would be crucial in the marquee clash against Pakistan after brilliant ton against Hong Kong in their Asia Cup 2018 opener.