Shikhar Dhawan Reveals What Prompted Him To Mock An Injured Shane Watson In 2013

India opener Shikhar Dhawan has finally opened up on the nasty episode that occurred during an One-Day International against Australia in Bangalore in 2013. The southpaw was seen mocking Shane Watson when the former Australia allrounder came out to bat at number 8 instead of his usual number due to a hamstring injury that he suffered while bowling. With Watson finding it tough to run between the wickets, Dhawan decided to mock him by hobbling.

In case you had missed that match, here is a clip of that infamous incident:

Well, almost four years after that incident in a match which is remembered for Rohit Sharma‘s stunning knock of 209, Dhawan has revealed the reason why he decided to take such an extreme step to mock the Aussie. The left-handed batsman, in an interview with Cricbuzz, said that he decided to do so because Watson had tried to get under his skin after his short delivery hit the India opener’s ribs.

“Watson bowled a ball which hit me at ribs. It was paying a lot and he asked me if I was enjoying the pain. And I had to take it. So, when I came to field, I mimicked him, something he didn’t like it,” Dhawan said.

“But everything is fair in love, war and cricket,” he added.

Dhawan further said that he enjoys a good bonding with the Australian cricketers. The rivalry between India and Australia has taken a new shape with the turn of the millennium and rarely do we see players of both sides sharing a laugh or any light moment on the field. However, Dhawan seems to have made some few friends from the team from Down Under.

Recalling his Test debut against Australia in 2013, he said: “I was nervous when I walked out to bat. I had decided to bat calmly but the fours keep coming. The body was not ready to play a defensive game. So, I thought let’s play aggressive cricket only but smartly. And I ended up creating a world record.”

“I don’t remember of any sledging on that day. And I was in my zone. But we know how good sledgers Australian cricketers are. And I have a great bonding with them. However, there have been many instances when a lot of sledging was done,” he added.