IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Praises Skipper Shikhar Dhawan For His 97-Run Innings In 1st ODI

Updated - 23 Jul 2022, 06:01 PM

Aakash Chopra (Image Credits: Twitter)
Aakash Chopra (Image Credits: Twitter)

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra praised Shikhar Dhawan’s performance and said he played crucial innings.

Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of India, scored the most runs for the Men in Blue with 97 from 99 balls on Friday in the opening ODI against the West Indies. The left-handed player helped India get off to a solid start by scoring 119 runs for the first wicket with Shubman Gill. The first game was won by India by three runs as a result of Dhawan’s innings.

India's Shikhar Dhawan. PC- AFP
India’s Shikhar Dhawan. PC- AFP

India defeated the West Indies by three runs in the first one-day international to take a 1-0 series lead. Shikhar Dhawan, the skipper of India, hit the most runs for the opposition, with 97 from 99 balls. He was unfortunate to fall short of a well-earned century, but his significant innings established the groundwork for a large total.

He accumulated 119 runs for the first wicket with Shubman Gill (64 from 53 balls), and then he and Shreyas Iyer (54 from 57 balls) worked together to contribute a further 94 runs for the second wicket.

Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill. PC- AFP(1)
Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill. PC- AFP(1)

During his time at the wicket in the opening ODI of the three-match series, the Indian captain smashed 10 fours and three sixes. His performance provided India with a strong foundation on which to build their first-match total of 308 for 7. The West Indies were only able to score 305 runs in response to the 308-run goal, falling short by three runs.

‘West Indies were thrashed at the start’: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opening batsman Aakash Chopra praised Dhawan for his effort and stated he had crucial innings during his review of India’s performance in the first game of the series on his YouTube channel.
“It was that kind of a start; West Indies were thrashed early on. Shikhar Dhawan is, in my opinion, the Player of the Match. Shikha Boy was the second fiddle; Shubman Gill was the one that was striking one four after another when they first started, so I am giving it to Shikhi Boy,” Aakash Chopra said.

Shikhar Dhawan. PC- AFP
Shikhar Dhawan. PC- AFP

“In the first 10 overs, 11 fours and two sixes were struck. Shubman Gill was the major dismantler for the opposition team, which was in grave difficulties, but what did Shikhar Dhawan do? I know he was bowled out in the 90s, which was heartbreaking for both you and me since he has hit so many 90s, but it was a crucial inning ,” Aakash Chopra remarked.

Shikhar Dhawan looked in good form in the first game of the series, but he was unlucky not to get a century.

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India National Cricket Team India tour of West Indies 2022 Shikhar Dhawan