Shikhar Dhawan Revealed His Big Plans Ahead Of IND vs WI Series: Ever since the 2019 World Cup was completed, the focus of teams and players from the 50-over format has been down in the pecking order as two T20 World Cups, in 2021 and 2022, and the Test Championship have taken preference.
The less entertaining middle-child of the game now gets some attention again from Team India’s perspective as they play six ODIs in a trot – three vs England and three vs West Indies.
Senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan is the only ODI specialist player in the Indian team. The left-hander who has been the premier opener alongside Rohit Sharma since 2013 is putting all his energies and focus on the 2023 ODI World Cup which will be played in India.
Shikhar Dhawan will captain India in ODI series vs West Indies
The 36-year-old, who will be back in action on Tuesday at The Oval in the first ODI against England, said that he wants to play as many games as possible – apart from ODIs, Dhawan is a regular in the IPL and expressed a desire to play in domestic white-ball cricket – to keep himself in good stead for next year’s showpiece event at home.
“I understand the need to prepare well before a tour, so I make sure to keep focusing on my basics and the method of my preparation. I had been practising for quite some time for the England ODIs and I’m sure I’ll be in fine rhythm in the coming matches,” said Dhawan as quoted by The Telegraph India.
“My focus is definitely on next year’s World Cup and for that, I want to play as many matches as possible for India and do well there. In between, there will be the IPL as well, so I will try to do well there and also look to play the domestic one day and T20 matches.”
Barring KL Rahul, India have named a full-strength squad for the England ODI series, but a number of all-format players – Sharma, Kohli, Pant, Bumrah, Pandya and Shami – have been rested from the West Indies ODI series where Dhawan will lead the side.
The opener talked about the technical and mental aspects of the game that has helped him in his success.
“I have loads of experience in the first place. Also, I’m quite confident about my basics and technique, which are important facets for an opener. At the same time, a calm mind helps me build my innings and convert it into a big score. That keeps me in a good headspace,” Dhawan added.
