Shikhar Dhawan scored 79 runs in the first ODI against South Africa in Paarl.
Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan said that every lean patch in his career has made him stronger and he has full confidence in himself.
Coming into the ODI series against South Africa, there were a lot of speculations about Shikhar Dhawan’s place in the team, especially after his omission from the Indian T20 side.
To worsen the case more, Dhawan looked off colour in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021. He scored 56 runs in five matches for Delhi and many fans and pundits were not in favour of his selection for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa.
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Dhawan replied to the critics in style with his knock in the first ODI against South Africa in Paarl. The southpaw top-scored for India with his knock of 79 runs. Although the KL Rahul-led side lost the match but the left-hander being back among the runs was the biggest positive for them.
Addressing the virtual press conference after the first ODI against South Africa, senior Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan said that he doesn’t pay heed to outside noise as he has full confidence in himself and has full clarity about his game.
He highlighted that everyone has ups and downs and this is not new for him in his career. He remarked that every lean phase makes him stronger.
"I don't listen to the media or don't read newspapers or watch news, that way I don't take all that information. I have full confidence in myself that what my game is and I have clarity on that and I stay quite calm.
“And this is part of life, this happens in life, everyone's life has ups and downs, so it is nothing new and happening for the first time or for the last time in my career or my life, so it is alright, that only makes me stronger," Shikhar Dhawan said.
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Shikhar Dhawan said that he is used to talks related to dropping him but he only knows how to give his best and always makes sure that his preparation is good. He added that with the amount of experience and self-confidence he has, he’ll keep scoring lots of runs for his team.
"These talks (to drop him) always are there and I am used to it and I just know how to give my best and I always make sure that my preparation is quite good and the process is good and then I leave it on God.....and I know that with my experience and my self-confidence, I'll do good and I am happy that I did well today.
"With my experience I'll keep scoring lots of runs and yeah till the time I keep playing cricket I stay healthy and happy and I score lot of runs," he said.
The second ODI game between South Africa and India will be played in Paarl on 21st January.
(PTI inputs)