Internet Desk: India’s star opener Shikhar Dhawan thinks that the combination of young and experienced players in the squad makes India a pretty good side and it would be the cherry on the cake if they can follow the path of invincible Australian side of 90s.
After winning the 5 match ODI series 4-1, India continued their dominating show in T20Is as they won the match by nine wickets in the first T20 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match rubber.
“Our team is very strong. We have been doing well for a long time. We have some good youngsters as well as experienced players. The youngsters are maturing well,” Dhawan said at the post-match news conference.
Giving credit to IPL, Dhawan said: “You really get a good boost when you perform well with International players in the IPL.
“In today’s era most of the teams are on level par. It would be a great thing if we can achieve what Australians did earlier,” he said referring to the era when Aussies ruled the world cricket.
The visitors were restricted for 118/8 when rain curtailed their innings in 18.4 overs to give an easy DLS revised target of 48 in six overs to India, which the hosts achieved with three balls to spare and nine wickets in hand.
He said the JSCA International Stadium wicket here offered low bounce but India were confident of achieving the target if the match had gone the distance.
“The target was not that big. Yes the wicket had low bounce but we are used to the conditions here. We could have chased easily,” he said.
Dhawan, who returned to the side after opting out of the ODI series to attend his ailing wife, looked in fine nick to steer the small chase with an unbeaten 15 from 12 balls.
“It feels great to play in the XI after my return and start on a winning note. I’ve also got some runs under my belt which is a good sign,” he said.
The rain interruption for about two hours that curtailed the game meant the Ranchi crowd were left disappointed as they couldn’t see local hero MS Dhoni bat.
“Who all will you play in six overs! Fans must have returned disappointed. But they would surely be happy of India’s win. At the end of the day, we won the match that’s what matters to us,” Dhawan said.
Asked whether they would shuffle the batting order now, he said: “Captain would know as I’ve returned after a long time. If players perform they will get opportunity.
“Everyone doing well is a good sign. Our bench strength is strong with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane who did so well in the ODIs, then there’s KL Rahul and Murali Vijay in Tests so it’s a good sign for India,” he concluded.
The second T20I of the three-match series is in Guwahati on October 10.