Shikhar warns Sri Lanka ahead of series decider
Once I am in, I can demolish any side because that is my strength. Rohit, once he gets settled, he scores big. We can take game away. SHIKHAR DHAWAN, On the openers
VISAKHAPATNAM: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been the pillars in Indian cricket team’s dominant run in the last couple of years.
As India bid to win a record eighth consecutive bilateral ODI series ahead of the decider at the ACA-VDCA stadium, Dhawan has sounded out a warning to the Sri Lankan team.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Dhawan emphatically stated, “Once I am in, I can demolish any side because that is my strength. Even Rohit, once he gets settled, he scores big. With the calibre we have got, we can take the game away.”
Since 2013, the Dhawan-rohit combination has amassed 3163 runs in 68 games at an average of 47.20 with 12 century opening partnerships.
In Mohali, Dhawan’s rapid 68 off 67 balls and his 115-run stand in 21.1 overs with Rohit helped lay the base for the Indian captain’s onslaught and big score.
Dhawan returns to a venue where he made his international debut against Australia in 2010. Although he was out for 0, the venue is memorable for the lefthander’s career resurrection.
“I love coming to Vizag. It’s a very beautiful and clean city. I did very well in Deodhar Trophy. After that, there was a drastic change in my international career. As they say, Vizag is the city of destiny. It has been very good for me and I always enjoy coming here,” Dhawan said.
Last year, Dhawan, battling injuries, scored a brilliant century for India-b in the Deodhar Trophy and finished as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament with 223 runs at an average of 74.
The Deodhar performance resulted in a good run in the Champions Trophy 2017 where he ended up becoming the leading run-getter for the second edition in a row with 338 runs at 67.6. Challenge of seaming wickets
In the series against Sri Lanka, India played on two green tops in Kolkata and Dharamsala.
At the HPCA stadium, India were bowled out for 112, which raised questions on India’s ability to perform on seaming tracks. However, Dhawan said India played with positive
intent.