Shikhar Dhawan is coming off a brilliant 2020 IPL season, in which he scored 618 runs and emerged as the tournament’s second-highest run scorer, so it was perhaps disappointing to see him come off cheap against Australia in the first T20I in Canberra on Friday. Dhawan was out for 1, clean thrown by Mitchell Starc, who broke his stump.
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Not that Dhawan didn’t shoot at all. In the first ODI in Sydney, Dhawan reached 74 and followed with a score of 30 two days later, with India losing both contests. And now, as the team is on the brink of a T20I series win in Australia, Dhawan’s contribution will be even more important, especially given the absence of Rohit Sharma.
Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag feels there is no need to read too much about Dhawan’s low score, explaining how Australia is not the easiest place to score runs. Sehwag wants Dhawan, who turned 35 today, to spend a little more time at the wicket and take a look at him before making outrageous shots.
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“Sometimes it’s difficult for a starter to score runs at will under these conditions against such a good bowling attack. Because I’ve been through that stage, it’s not easy to score runs in Australia against the new ball. So I think Shikhar Dhawan should be given a little more time and he should also take his time while playing, ”Sehwag said on Sony Sports Network.
Sehwag recognizes that Dhawan can earn KL Rahul’s trust, and believes that if his opening partner can get off to a good start, he should help Dhawan. “When KL Rahul is hitting with him, the way he is, he’s scoring runs at a fast pace. So if Dhawan can just rotate the strike and once the spinners come, he can cash in and build a good partnership, ”Sehwag added.
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India captain Virat Kohli has been known to cut and switch to India’s play XI frequently, but Sehwag is confident that Dhawan won’t miss out, simply because of the kind of T20 form he’s in. Dhawan became the only player in IPL history to register again. IPL centuries in a row for his team, the capitals of Delhi, and that’s a sign of a fit man, Sehwag acknowledges.
“I don’t think so. Due to the type of experienced player he is, I think Shikhar Dhawan will have and should have more chances. Although in one of the ODI I think he had scored 25-30 runs, he couldn’t turn that into a great score.” Sehwag explained.
“But the way he was in the IPL, two centuries old, I don’t think he should be left out for the next two Q20I because he has the experience and when he shoots, he will play cricket well and contribute to the team. “
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