Dhawan will become 7th captain to lead India this year when he takes the field for the toss on Friday.
India’s stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan has reacted to the criticism he has been facing after his poor performance on the England tour ahead of the first ODI against the West Indies, starting on Friday (July 22).
The veteran opener said that criticism after couple of his failures doesn't matter to him, nor is it strange to him, as he has been hearing it for 10 years. The 36-year-old further stressed that if he had let criticism affect him or his game, he wouldn't have been where he is today.
Shikhar Dhawan said in a pre-match press conference: “I don't feel strange. Have been hearing it for 10 years now. They keep saying, I keep playing. It doesn't matter to me. If it did, I wouldn't have been here today. Everyone has their own opinions, but I know my job and what I need to do.”
He further added, “I have been doing this for so many years. I don't take a lot of tension after a couple of failures. I self-analyze and look to improve. That's what matters to me.”
Speaking about his role in the Indian team and captaincy assignment, Dhawan said: “I’m very excited. When I get a chance to work with youngsters, I feel I can share my experience with them, especially the mental aspect of how one can grow. I always love to share it and bring an impact in their game.”
There would always be pressure in the game, but the opener said he never allowed the pressure to change his playing style or nature.
Dhawan signed off by saying, “Pressure is always there in international cricket. But the pressure will not change my personality or my style of play. I have a lot of self-belief in myself and in my team as well. We will go in with the will to win at any cost.”
(With ANI Inputs)