Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif lauded Shikhar Dhawan’s knock in the first ODI against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. Dhawan scored an unbeaten knock of 81 runs off 103 balls to help India chase down the target of 190 runs on Thursday.
The southpaw took his time but timed the ball to perfection to score his runs. The veteran left-hander scored nine fours in his knock and added an unbeaten knock of 192 runs with Shubman Gill.
As Dhawan only plays one format for India, Kaif reckons every inning is like a war for him. Dhawan has all the experience under his belt and he is an asset in the 50-overs form for the Indian team.
Dhawan has been a consistent performer in the last few years and he will look to continue the good show. The experienced batter had also scored 168 runs in three ODIs against the West Indies, including two fifties.
During a discussion on Sony Sports, Kaif was all praise for Dhawan, saying: “Shikhar Dhawan, who does not play all the formats and plays this format only, ask him how important this inning is for him. Every inning is like a war for him because so many players are waiting, if he does badly, then he will be out from here as well. But the guy is not giving a chance.”
Dhawan also completed 6500 ODI runs during his knock of 81 runs against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
“He is scoring runs whenever he is given an opportunity. He has scored 6500 ODI runs, which is not an easy task, he has had a very long journey. He showed his ability, that he is ready and has come here not to survive but to score runs and win matches.”
Kaif, who was well known for prolific fielding during his heydays, added that Dhawan knows how to make a comeback. Dhawan had played in the ODI series against England after a long break but looked a bit rusty. However, he was at his best against the West Indies.
Kaif added, “He did not have a good ODI tour of England. But as soon as he reached West Indies, he scored runs in every match. The ups and downs will be there, there were times in between when he didn’t score runs, there was pressure, but he knows how to make a comeback.”
He continued, “He is a touch player, he can play the big shots, but he is consistent. Shikhar knows that if he has to stay here, he has to score in every match. The selectors are giving opportunities to young players, so the pressure is always there on him. He played a very good knock today. Shikhar Dhawan is ticking all the boxes.”
The second ODI between India and Zimbabwe will be played on Saturday in Harare.
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