Shikhar Dawan: “I know till the time I perform, it would be good for me.”

Dhawan was asked about his feelings after being sacked as captain for the Zimbabwe series at the last minute ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand. When questioned by a journalist, the veteran lefty stated that he was ‘not offended’ by being removed from the post.

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, left-handed hitter Shikhar Dhawan will head the side. Dhawan will captain the side for the third time in 2022, having previously captained during the West Indies ODI series and the home ODI series against South Africa.

You have asked a good question. I consider myself fortunate that I am getting an opportunity to lead the side at this stage of my career. I feel good about it and it is a challenge. We have won good series with a young side. If I talk about the Zimbabwe tour, KL Rahul is the vice-captain of our main team, when he came back, I was mindful of the fact that he had to go to Asia Cup. If Rohit had gotten injured during Asia Cup, then KL might have been asked to lead. So it was better that he had the practice during the Zimbabwe tour,” Dhawan explained.

“I was not hurt. I feel that whatever happens, happens for the best. I was then selected as the captain for the South Africa series, the selectors and the team management gave me that opportunity. I never feel bad,” he added to reporters.

Speaking on the 2023 World Cup, and how having choices like himself, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul to open may cause problems for the squad, Dhawan said. “We guys have been performing well for a period of time. At the same time, talking about myself, I have to keep performing. I know till the time I perform,  it would be good for me. It keeps me on my toes and keeps me hungry.”

Dhawan was asked how he keeps his mental health in good form in this social media age: “On social media, there is trolling. We are used to it now, smart people know how to go about using social media. They know if they don’t perform, what kind of chatter will take place on social media. It totally depends on our performance. When you know it, there is no need of looking into it. That’s how I deal with it.”

Following the end of the ODI series against New Zealand, India will travel to Bangladesh for a three-match ODI and two-match Test series beginning in December.