India vs New Zealand 2019: Given Our Bench Strength, Every Player Needs to be on Their Toes - Shikhar Dhawan

India’s southpaw opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan believes that given the potent bench strength of the team, every player needs to be on top of their toes. Thus, no player can take his place in the side for granted. There is a tough competition within the team and the players are aware that a spate of bad performances can show them the exit gate.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan had scored a good knock of 75 runs in the first match of the ODI series against New Zealand. During the course of his innings, Dhawan also went past the 5000 ODI run-mark. Thus, he became the second fastest Indian batsman to reach the milestone after Virat Kohli. The left-hander got to the landmark in 118 innings and became the fifth fastest overall batsman.

Dhawan had returned to form in the first match.

“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 said on Friday.

Shikhar Dhawan gave an example of Prithvi Shaw who scored a brilliant hundred on his debut match against the Windies. Thus, Dhawan believes no player can afford to take his place in the team for granted.

Our bench strength is very strong.

“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.

On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli added a vital partnership of 91 runs in the opener of the series. Dhawan said both of them compliment each other as they rotate the strike at regular intervals. In fact, India required only 156 runs to win the first match. Thus, there was no pressure of the required rate.

“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, he said. 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,” Dhawan said.

Shikhar Dhawan will like to continue his good form going in the second ODI against New Zealand. The Delhi batsman is an integral part of the team and his success is directly proportional to the success of the team. Hence, Dhawan will like to continue in a similar fashion.

Dhawan had a quiet series against Australia and he would like to be at the top of his game before the World Cup. The left-hander has an amazing record in the major ICC events and he would like to deliver the goods in the ODI showpiece. Consequently, Dhawan will like to give a keep providing a good start to his team.