If the national selectors were only looking at the just-concluded Irani Cup as their basis for selection for the Australia Test series, then Shikhar Dhawan, with scores of 63 and 0, would not have made it into the India squad where he replaced his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir, says a report in Mid-Day, adding that Dhawan is thankful that Sandeep Patil & Co gave due consideration to his first-class season.
“Thankfully, the selectors didn’t go only by my Irani Cup scorecard. I had a fine first-class
season and I am happy that I will play alongside the likes of Virubhai (Virender Sehwag) and Sachin paaji (Tendulkar),” the southpaw said yesterday.
“Dhawan is the new toast of Delhi’s cricketing circles. Never has he done so many interviews on a single day even though he has played for India in one-day internationals. The presence of the TV crew aroused curiosity in the A1 block of his West Jankpuri residence here. Almost a decade back in 2004, Dhawan captained the India U-19 team which had the likes of Suresh Raina and RP Singh among others who have played a significant number of international matches for the country. His juniors like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara have established themselves too. Dhawan, however, is a great believer in destiny,” says the report.
“I have never envied someone else’s success. I am happy with what I have got so far. The great Matthew Hayden is an inspirational figure for me. He too has struggled in the early stage of his career, but made it up in his second phase,” said a humble Dhawan.
Meanwhile Hindustan Times reports that before their last Ranji league game in December, Delhi's critics were clamouring for skipper Shikhar Dhawan's head. His nicknames, like 'Gabbar', within the camp referred to a man who took uncalculated risks far too often.
The Delhi chairman of selectors Chetan Chauhan had strong views on how he was squandering bright starts. Despite that, Chauhan once quipped, "He has the potential to turn the game on its head." That game provided a hint of what Chauhan meant. Delhi needed 270 on a seamer-friendly track on the last day against Maharashtra, and Dhawan delivered with ease, pacing his century-knock exceptionally well.
Dhawan was back in business a few days later, hammering a ton as Delhi XI thrashed England in a warm-up. In the Irani Cup too, he made a brisk 63 in the first innings before chopping the ball onto his stumps. "He is like that from the start, very aggressive. But he has a lot more strokes than many others," said Madan Sharma, who has coached him since he was 11.
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, since his first class debut in 2004, Shikhar Dhawan has not been able to get consistency, and this has given him plenty of trouble. The youngster has again got an opportunity, as he becomes a member of the Indian Test squad for Australia challenge.
But he is not ready to let things slip out of his hands this time, and looks fully determined to make the best of this chance. “I can’t blame anyone for not being able to cement my place in the India squad when I was touring West Indies last year. I wasn’t consistent enough and that’s why couldn’t play more than five ODIs. I guess, it’s all in the mind and I am not going to let this opportunity go," the 27-year-old said.