Shikhar Dhawan appreciates Delhi Capitals for backing Shreyas Iyer: The opening batsman sounded confident about DC’s chances in IPL 2019.
Before the IPL (Indian Premier League) auction this year, Delhi Capitals had put to rest all the rumours regarding India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan’s new IPL franchise. Having bought him at the expense of three players, it spoke highly about the importance of the 33-year old batsman in the IPL.
Having scored 4,058 runs in 143 IPL matches at an average of 33.26 and a strike rate of 123.53, Dhawan is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in the tournament. He might not have scored an IPL century till now, he has scored 32 half-centuries (fourth-highest) in his 11-year long career.
In a recent interview for Delhi Capitals, Shikhar Dhawan disclosed his feelings on coming back ‘home’. Reflecting on his IPL career, Dhawan said that the excitement before a new season is still there.
“It’s a very good feeling. Like I have come back home. And I am looking forward to representing Delhi Capitals and performing well. So, a very happy feeling. I have been playing IPL for 11 years now but that excitement is always there. I am born and brought up in Delhi,” Dhawan was quoted as saying.
“Happy with Capitals’ local support”
Being asked about receiving home support at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, Dhawan mentioned that the fans’ support works well for the home team and puts the other team under pressure.
“I am very happy with the local support that our team and I will get here. And, we will do well this year. Definitely, the support of our fans gives us a lot of confidence. And it puts the other team under pressure,” he said funnily.
Being asked about the positive signs at Capitals ahead of IPL 2019, Dhawan ended up mentioning a few of them. The southpaw started with pointing out on the above mentioned ‘home ground’ factor and was delighted at the management backing young captain Shreyas Iyer.
“First good thing is, this has been my home ground. Knowing the pitches and conditions well is an added advantage for me. Shreyas has taken over the captaincy last year. It’s good that Delhi Capitals are backing him,” he added.
Highlighting the presence of a balanced squad, Dhawan was self-assured about the presence of 4-5 top-order Indian players. “Our team this year is very balanced. We have good all-rounders, spinners and batsmen. Indian batsmen playing well s crucial to the success of an IPL team. Our top 4-5 players are Indian, which is a very strong point,” he further added.
“There is always a first time”
Dhawan also counted the popular opinion of Capitals being a formidable squad doing the rounds. Unperturbed by the absence of a single IPL title at Delhi, Dhawan believed that there is always a first time.
“And I’ve also heard the popular opinion that the Capitals team is very strong. We just have to execute our strategies on ground. The results will follow this time. If it hasn’t been done before, it can be done now. There is always a first time,” the opener said.
One of the key players for Capitals in the recent years has been wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant. During the tour of Australia earlier this year, other than impressing one and all with his bat, Pant also gained numerous accolades for his way of handling the verbals with Australia captain Tim Paine.
“Babysitting banter shows Pant’s character”
After giving back to Paine in style on the ground, the 21-year old Indian cricketer was seen getting clicked with Paine’s wife and kids when both the team met Australia Prime Minister at the Kirribilli House. The photo of the same had gone viral across social media platforms.
From Pant admitting in an interview that it was lovely to meet Paine’s family to Bonnie Paine (Tim Paine’s wife) crediting him for her increased fan-following on social media platform Instagram to asking Pant for a babysitting gig, the banter was handled in the best possible manner.
Speaking about the same, Dhawan was wax lyrical about Pant’s character for he took the banter in a positive way especially when he met Tim Paine’s family. Before concluding, Dhawan referred to the difference between rivalry and friendship.
“I feel it’s part of sportsman’s spirit. Rishabh had the on-field banter with Tim Paine. But, when Tim’s wife showed up, Rishabh took up the banter in a positive way. It shows his character. It was made into something positive which everybody saw and appreciated. The rivalry has its own place, so does friendship in this sport,” Dhawan concluded.
Watch the full interview below:
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