After losing a three-match Test series, the Indian cricket team failed to get a winning start in the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa, as the tourists suffered a 31-run defeat in the opening ODI to trail by 0-1 in the series on Wednesday (January 19) in Paarl.
After the defeat, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan said that losing wickets in a cluster cost the tourists the first ODI against South Africa, but mentioned that the wicket at Paarl was not a typical South African wicket.
South Africa opted to bat first after winning the toss and went on to post 296/4, thanks to Temba Bavuma (110) and Rassie van der Dussen's (129*) centuries against India.
Chasing the total, Team India lost their opener KL Rahul for just 12, however, Dhawan (79) and Virat Kohli (51) got going with the bat and gave the tourists some stability but a disappointing show from the middle-order saw them 199/7 against South Africa in Paarl.
Later, Shardul Thakur (50*) showed his brilliance with the bat and scored a maiden ODI fifty to take India to 265/8, falling 31 runs short for the victory against South Africa in the first ODI on Wednesday in Paarl.
Dhawan said during a virtual press conference: “We advise the young guys to play according to the situation and one must keep the team ahead. Partnerships are important and I am sure the guys will keep learning with experience. We had a good start, the wicket was slow and it was offering a bit of turn.”
The left-hander added, “When you are chasing 300 and you are coming in, you cannot go after the ball immediately, it is not easy. When we lost wickets in a cluster, it impacted us in the game. I just thought about playing to the merit of the ball, it was not a typical South African wicket, when I got the flow, I just looked to carry on with that.”
He also opened up about his mental preparation before any series. Dhawan said, “I do not listen to the media or watch the news, that way I do not take any information. I have confidence in my abilities and I stay quite calm. This is a part and parcel of the game. That only makes me stronger.”
On being asked why Venkatesh Iyer wasn’t used as the sixth bowling option, Dhawan said: “Venkatesh Iyer was not brought on as there was turn on the wicket and the spinners were doing well. Fast bowlers were not used much in the middle, and the spinners were employed.”
He concluded, “The talks are always there, I just know how to give my best. I know that with my experience and with my self-confidence, I will do and I am happy that I did well today.”
(With ANI Inputs)
