Shikhar Dhawan Reveals Why India Is Number 1 in Tests & ODIs

Team India’s juggernaut just keeps on rolling since the historic win against Sri Lanka 2015. It was the first full series for Virat Kohli as captain and he made an instant mark by leading India to their first series win in Sri Lanka in 22 years. Since then India have not lost a series, beating the likes of South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia to reach the pinnacle of Test cricket.

The story in the One-Day Internationals is pretty much similar as the Men in Blue are yet to lose a series under Virat Kohli who replaced MS Dhoni as the captain earlier this year. So far, Kohli has led the team to series wins over England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and most recently Australia in addition to guiding the team to the final of the Champions Trophy.

With the team looking primed to continue its domination in the coming days, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan feels the team is at the top because of the fine blend of experience and youth. Bench strength is another factor that he feels has contributed to India’s rise.

“The reason we are No.1 is because we have got good matured players in the side and the youngsters also are very confident. I believe sharing the dressing room with established players in the IPL has helped them gain confidence,” Dhawan told NDTV.

“The bench strength is also the reason that the Indian team is so good now. We have a very healthy competition in the side. Every player knows if he doesn’t perform there is other batsman who is as good as him, so that’s a very good sign and that keeps everyone on their toes. And I think our domestic structure is so good that we are producing such good players,” he added.

Dhawan also revealed how he went through after his ouster from the team towards the end of the last year due to poor form.

“It was a hard time for me because I was giving my best but things were not going my way. When I was dropped from the Test and T20 team, of course I felt bad but I knew that I hadn’t performed that well that’s why I got dropped,” he said.

“But, I kept my process going. I increased my training and skill work and made myself more fit. During that time also, I wanted to be happy and enjoyed playing Ranji Trophy for Delhi. By the grace of God, things fell back in place again and I got a call for the Champions Trophy after some good domestic performances in Deodhar trophy and the Indian Premier League.”

Well, Dhawan made a pretty strong comeback as he finished the the Champions Trophy as its highest run-scorer and was the Man of the Series in the Test series in Sri Lanka.

The southpaw also took part in a rapid-fire where he was asked about his teammates:

Excerpts:

Question: How do you describe Hardik Pandya’s bowling?
Dhawan: Very good

Question: Pandya’s batting?
Dhawan: Hitter

Question: Bhuvi’s (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) yorkers?
Dhawan: Kanchebaaz (One who masters in the Marble game)

Question: Bumrah’s (Jasprit) death bowling?
Dhawan: Serious stuff

Question: Jadhav’s bowling action?
Dhawan: Phirki (flying disk)

Question: Any smart one-liners from MS Dhoni?
Dhawan: When he sneezes, he says ‘Bhagwan mujhe nahin isko uthaale’ (God take him with you, not me)

Question: One exercise you would suggest to Yuzvendra Chahal so that he puts on the weight?
Dhawan: Eating

Question: If you were to give an award for facial hair, who would you give it to?
Dhawan: We all are very good at it, but still I would give that award to myself

Question: One word to describe for someone who has turned 38 (Ashish Nehra) and making a comeback at this stage?
Dhawan: Determination, love towards the game and hard work.