IND vs NZ: Shikhar Dhawan Breaks Silence On Being Replaced By KL Rahul As Captain At Last Minute For Zimbabwe ODIs

The 36-year-old India National Cricket Team opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has opened up on being replaced by KL Rahul as skipper at the last minute for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. He said that “whatever happens, happens for the best”.

Dhawan is all set to lead the Indian team in the forthcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on Friday in Auckland as Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been rested.

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The senior opener had led the side in the ODI series against West Indies and South Africa earlier this year. Also, he was initially named as the skipper for the ODI series against Zimbabwe, but at the last minute Rahul was added to the squad, and named as the new captain, and Dhawan was demoted to the vice-captaincy role.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand, Dhawan was asked how he felt when he was removed as the captain for the Zimbabwe ODIs. Dhawan replied that leading the side was very important for Rahul in the Zimbabwe series as he was heading into the Asia Cup 2022 as India’s vice-captain. The 36-year-old added that he “was not hurt” and is fortunate that he is part of the leadership group in ODIs.

“You have asked a good question. I consider myself fortunate that I am getting an opportunity to lead the side at this stage of my career. I feel good about it and it is a challenge. We have won good series with a young side. If I talk about the Zimbabwe tour, KL Rahul is the vice-captain of our main team, when he came back, I was mindful of the fact that he had to go to Asia Cup. If Rohit had gotten injured during Asia Cup, then KL might have been asked to lead. So it was better that he had the practice during the Zimbabwe tour,” Dhawan said during a pre-match press conference.

“I was not hurt. I feel that whatever happens, happens for the best. I was then selected as the captain for the South Africa series, the selectors and the team management gave me that opportunity. I never feel bad,” he added.

I know till the time I perform, it would be good for me – Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan further spoke about how having options such as himself, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul as openers might prove as a headache for the team in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He said:

“We guys have been performing well for a period of time. At the same time, talking about myself, I have to keep performing. I know till the time I perform, it would be good for me. It keeps me on my toes and keeps me hungry.”

Shikhar Dhawan also talked about how he makes sure that his mental health always remains fine in the social media age, where players face heavy trolling for failing to perform at times. He said:

“On social media, there is trolling. We are used to it now, smart people know how to go about using social media. They know if they don’t perform, what kind of chatter will take place on social media. It totally depends on our performance. When you know it, there is no need of looking into it. That’s how I deal with it.”

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