India v Sri Lanka: There is no competition for opening slot, says Dhawan ahead of 1st ODI
Ahead of the 1st ODI match against Sri Lanka on Sunday, Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of the Indian national team on tour, said that there was no competition for the first place in the team.
While Shikhar Dhawan is sure to open for India, it will be interesting to see who accompanies him when he walks out in the middle at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Indian team is spoiled for choices with Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson also in the squad.
“I have interacted with all the younger colleagues, I have seen their nature and their skills in the nets. We guys have a great vibe in the team, it has been one month here. We are looking forward to tomorrow’s game,” Dhawan said during a virtual press conference.
“This series is important, any series we play for India is important. Even if there is no World Cup in the coming months or not, it does not matter. Every player wants to give his best. There is competition for the opening slot. I want my team to do well in this series. If we perform well, then further doors will open,” Shikhar Dhawan said in a virtual press conference on the eve of the match.
Further, the southpaw also talked about the similarity and difference between Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid, who has travelled with the team as a head coach for the 2 white-ball series.
“They both have their own qualities, they both are positive people. I have spent a lot of time with Ravi bhai. Ravi bhai and Rahul bhai have different styles of motivating people. I enjoy playing under both of them.”
Talking about Suryakumar Yadav, Dhawan said, “Suryakumar Yadav is a great player. He has performed well in domestic and international matches. He is a very talented player, I am sure he will do well. He is in great touch.”
Asked about the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, the India skipper said, “They both share great chemistry, they have won so many matches for us. Even Rahul Chahar is a great spinner. We have good spinners in this squad. I am sure you will see them doing well and taking a lot of wickets in this series.”
“I have had no chat with Ravi Bhai or Virat so far, I am sure that Rahul Dravid would have interacted with them. This is a good series to try players in,” said Dhawan while replying to whether he has had any interactions with team’s regular head coach and captain, Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli, respectively.
