The Indian cricket team is all set to lock its horns with West Indies in the much-awaited series-opener today, July 22 and Shikhar Dhawan has been named the captain of the side. Yes, Team India will have their 7th captain of the year as they will take the field tonight.
Shikhar Dhawan, who had made his captaincy debut for team India last year on the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, has been roped in again for the job in the absence of a few first-choice players for the ODIs.
Ahead of the series an Instagram reel, featuring Shikhar Dhawan and several other teammates including Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj has gone viral on the internet. The video was shared by Shikhar Dhawan via his official Instagram handle and in no time it became the talk of the town. However, what took everyone by surprise was the presence of head coach Rahul Dravid in the same.
𝗖. 𝗛. 𝗔. 𝗠. 𝗣. 𝗜. 𝗢. 𝗡. 𝗦!
#TeamIndia | #ENGviND pic.twitter.com/8SETL5xAhh
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 17, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan Talked About The Viral Reel
Rahul Dravid, who is known for his reserved nature, isn’t active on social media but Shikhar Dhawan made him a part of the reel.
Meanwhile, ahead of the series-opener on Friday, Shikhar Dhawan was asked about the viral reel. Responding to this, Dhawan said that it is important to have some fun while working and it is his nature that helps him bond with the team members. Speaking about the same, he said:
“I feel because of my nature and energy I am able to gel well with everyone. It is very important to have fun while working. Work goes on, but that liveliness creates a very good bond, as you saw in my reel, which also had Rahul bhai.”
He added: “The entire team was there (in the reel). These days there are reels, earlier there were team dinners or team activities. It creates bonding. It also feels good to make people happy through such reels over any other means,”
Further, Dhawan also talked about his equation with the current head-coach Rahul Dravid. He said: “I have very good relations with Rahul bhai. We were together in Sri Lanka as well. A good bond was created there. Our understanding is really good,”
Dhawan also spoke about the challenges the team would face in the West Indies. In a video shared by the BCCI on Twitter, the opening batter said that the weather and conditions would be a bit difficult in the Caribbean, but the team is confident and well prepared to face them upfront. He said:
“Of course, we will enjoy the tour. The weather in West Indies will be a bit challenging and difficult. But I feel the boys are well prepared. Just like how Siraj performed today, they aren’t just waiting for the opportunity but there is preparation behind it,”
“So the youngsters who will be going on the tour, they aren’t just young but they’re mature as well and they will get the exposure playing in West Indies. And they have played in the IPL as well,”
He added: “With all this experience and youthness in our ranks, I feel we will have a great series. And lots of smiles, lots of wins. Now we have won such a big series in England, but everybody couldn’t do their best. So, West Indies is a great opportunity for us to peak over there and show our talent,”
‘West Indies is a great opportunity for the youngsters to get exposure and play, says #TeamIndia ODI Captain @SDhawan25 ahead of #WIvIND series. pic.twitter.com/PBelvII28c
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 21, 2022
