After MS Dhoni, who will take over the reins of the Indian team? It's the big question that Indian cricket will have to face once the regular captain hangs his boot, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that while Virat Kohli is the captain-designate, after an impressive performance in Zimbabwe where India whitewashed the hosts 5-0, there are some other names which are doing the rounds, including Shikhar Dhawan, who was appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabd for CL T20.
Right from the outset, Dhawan has pressed on the pedal and asked for intensity from the team in this year's Champions League T20 tournament, says the report, quoting Dhawan saying, "I am cool as well as an aggressive captain. I am aggressive from inside and that's what drives me whereas I am cool from the outside, so that I am in control of any situation of a match. My boys should have the intensity, the competitive spirit while they are playing but should also enjoy the game at the end of the day."
Sunrisers coach Tom Moody has thrown his weight behind Dhawan and feels that the southpaw is a 'natural leader.' "It's clearly a move for the future. We feel he has natural leadership skills. It's an area (captaincy) he himself has shown interest in developing and I am excited as a coach to work along with Shikhar and forge a successful relationship in the future," Moody said.
Meanwhile a report in The Asian Age says that life has given Shikhar Dhawan a few knocks, but having come through that phase, he in now sailing calmer waters. “An eye-popping Test debut, a richly-successful return to the one-day squad, matrimony and now, captaincy of his IPL franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, ahead of the Champions League T20 qualifiers, that get under way here on Tuesday,” says the report.
Dhawan clearly has learnt his lessons. “Once you score big runs at the start of your international career, you get really confident because that is one part which is really tough as every player is nervous. “It’s good that I started off really well and I just want to continue the same form and play smart cricket so that I can be consistent. God has been kind and things have been going on really well for me and I would like to continue that way in future too,” Dhawan said here on Sunday.
On his new role, even with national captains like Darren Sammy and Cameron White in the ranks, the 27-year-old said, “It is a new challenge for me and I am really looking forward to it. “I have been captain for my Delhi team. It’s a great feeling to be captaining the Sunrisers team, it’s really an honour for me and I am looking forward to the job.”