Ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday, India opener Shikhar Dhawan has highlighted the importance of Rishabh Pant, saying that the young wicketkeeper batsman is an asset for the team due to his ability to change the course of a game in rather quick time.

Pant, who recently won the ICC Emerging Cricket of the Year, is all set to return to action after being left out of the twin ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.

"He is an aggressive batsman, an asset for the team, can take away games from opposition in a very short time. I hope he grabs this opportunity (in T20Is) with both hands," Dhawan told reporters on the eve of the first T20I.

The southpaw also said that the three-match T20I series is an opportunity for the youngsters to make a mark as some of the senior players including him might be rested.

"We too are humans and our bodies need a bit of rest. Of course, we would be looking to win the series and carry the momentum back home for the Australia series," he asserted.

Dhawan was not among the runs in the last three ODIs of the five-match series and was caught at third man off a rising ball during the fifth ODI on Sunday. The left-hander was seen practising with a tennis ball to counter the bounce and swing that troubled him in the previous two games.

Explaining his tennis ball drills, Shikhar said: "I do tennis ball drills mostly for bouncers, for my muscle memory as well. I feel, if keep hitting the same shot, I get better at it. When facing bowlers or throw downs, it is not possible to feed the ball in one place at all times, therefore, tennis ball practice comes in handy.”

"But after you go back to facing the leather ball, it feels someone is throwing stones at you. Today while we were doing the tennis ball drill, we were also doing it to counter swing," he explained.

Talking about his aggressive approach during powerplays, Dhawan said, "It is a change of mindset (more aggressive in power play) and also depends on wicket. I got lot of shots and it goes in my favour."

When enquired if playing a T20I series is a good idea ahead of the 50-over World Cup in May, Dhawan said: "I think five ODIs were enough. It is good that we play T20Is in the end. We are happy with the way things have gone so far."

(With PTI inputs)