Senior India batter Shikhar Dhawan is having a golden run with the bat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Dhawan, who is representing Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the fifteenth season of the cash-rich league, is the highest run-getter for his side.
The left-handed opening batter has so far played 13 games this season, scoring 421 runs at an average of 38.27 and a strike rate of 122.74 with the help of three-half centuries. In fact, Dhawan’s consistency has always been a highlight in his IPL career, as since 2011, the 36-year-old hasn’t scored less than 300 runs in an IPL season.
Despite being a consistent run-getter and leading India on tour to Sri Lanka last year, it surprised many when Dhawan was left out of the T20 World Cup 2021 squad. But that hasn’t stopped the Delhi-born cricketer from continuing his rich form.
While there is a strong probability of Dhawan making a return to T20 cricket in the upcoming series at home against South Africa starting June 9, the cricketer has shared some thoughts regarding his future with Team India.
Dhawan reckoned that he can still offer a lot in the shortest format as he has been consistent in this form of the game.
“Though I remain an integral part of the team, I still feel that I can contribute in the shortest format because of my experience. I have been quite doing well in the T20 format. Whatever role I have been given, I have done well. I have managed to stay consistent in the formats that I am playing, whether it is the IPL or at the domestic level, and I am enjoying it. Consistency is not only about scoring fifties or hundreds frequently, but also about maintaining even gaps between such scores,” said the southpaw, as quoted by NDTV.
Dhawan said he had no issues when he wasn’t picked for T20 WC last year. The PBKS batter said he respects the selector’s decision and only focuses on doing the best in whatever opportunities he is getting.
“I am a very positive person. It was a dream come true for me to lead the team last year. For the T20 World Cup, they thought the (chosen) players were better than me and fair enough. Whatever decision selectors make, I respect that. That happens in life. You accept it and keep doing your job. I only focus on what is in my control and try to make the most of the opportunities that I get,” added Dhawan.
