Shikhar Dhawan on being dropped from Test team: “I was sad but have moved on”

Shikhar Dhawan on being dropped from Test team: The Indian opener said that he has moved on from his Test debacle.

India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan might not be a part of the Test team which will face Australia in the first Test at Adelaide on December 6, but he says that he has moved on from him being axed after a dismal Test series in England earlier this year.

“I was a bit sad but then I was alright. I have moved on. I am in a good, happy and positive mood and I’m enjoying my game. I got a bit of off-time. So, I will enjoy it,” Dhawan was quoted as saying in a video interview with ESPNcricinfo.

Having won the ‘Man of the Series‘ award in the recently concluded T20I series, Dhawan is current on a break for the ODI leg of India’s tour of Australia will begin in January. On being asked about his plans during this period, he said, “I’m going to do a lot of training and get myself fitter. Once I am happy and in a good mood, things go well for me.”

With all eyes on the Test series now, it brings a great opportunity for India to register victory. However, if they miss the opportunity, it will raise plentiful questions on India’s ability to play cricket’s ancestral format outside the sub-continent. Dhawan was confident about India’s chances in the series provided India plays ‘complete’ cricket in all three departments.

“I feel that we’ve got a very good chance to win the series here. We have to play good, complete cricket in all three departments. We have to be consistent and got to do well. Then we will have good chance to beat Australia,” he further said.

There is no hiding to the fact that the southpaw will play a major role in India’s attempt to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Dhawan laid emphasis on giving his best during the world event.

“I will give my best. As I said, I am a big believer in process. I always focus on it. Once I do those things, then other things will follow on its own. As a team, we would like to win the World Cup and bring it back home,” he added.

Taking of his ODI performance in England, Dhawan has scored 976 runs in 17 matches at an average of 65.06 and a strike rate of 101.03. The 32-year old was instrumental during both the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 and 2017. In the 10 Champions Trophy matches in England, Dhawan has scored 701 runs at an average of 77.88 and a strike rate of 101.59.

The 32-year old cricketer talked of relying on his experience this time round. “I believe that my performance has been good in both the Champions Trophies [2013 and 2017]. With my experience now, I’ll make lots of runs in the World Cup and do well for the team,” he concluded.

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