Shikhar Dhawan Reveals Why He Mocked An Injured Shane Watson
Jul 3, 2017 at 8:20 PM
The background:
The final and seventh One-Day International between India and Australia in Bangalore in 2013 is best-remembered for Rohit Sharma’s belligerent knock of 209. The India opener had become only the third batsman in the world after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to score a double ton in 50-overs cricket. But avid cricket fans will remember that match for one more reason although it was not a memorable one like Rohit’s heroic knock.
Shane Watson had gone off the field after bowling five overs because of a hamstring injury. However, his day was further ruined when he came out to bat at No. 8 and was having difficulty in running between the wickets. The former Aussie allrounder punched his first ball into the covers, where Shikhar Dhawan fielded it and then what followed left everyone shocked. Trying his best impersonation of a hobbling Watson, Dhawan did not waste the chance to mock Watson who was not impressed with the former’s act at all.
Here is a clip of that infamous incident:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1UkLrE155Q
The story:
After almost four years of that incident, Dhawan has finally revealed what prompted him to mock an injured Watson. Recalling the match, the southpaw said that Watson had tried to get under his skin after his short delivery hit the India opener’s ribs and he just wanted to give it back to the Australian.
“Watson bowled a ball which hit me at ribs. It was paying a lot and he asked me if I was enjoying the pain. And I had to take it. So, when I came to field, I mimicked him, something he didn’t like it,” he told Cricbuzz.
“But everything is fair in love, war and cricket,” he added.
‘Great bonding with Australian players’
The last decade has seen the India-Australia rivalry taking a fierce shape. Whether it was India’s tour of Australia in 2008 or this year’s Test series, emotions and tension have run high whenever the two teams met. However, Dhawan said that he enjoys a good relationship with the Australian players.
Recalling his Test debut against the team from Down Under in 2013, he said: “I was nervous when I walked out to bat. I had decided to bat calmly but the fours keep coming. The body was not ready to play a defensive game. So, I thought let’s play aggressive cricket only but smartly. And I ended up creating a world record.”
“I don’t remember of any sledging on that day. And I was in my zone. But we know how good sledgers Australian cricketers are. And I have a great bonding with them. However, there have been many instances when a lot of sledging was done,” he added.