Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed the reason behind the successful partnership of openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Both the openers have done a fine job for the Indian team and they complement each other at the top of the order. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have given solid starts to the team and they have been instrumental in the success of the side.
The pair started opening the innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy when Rohit was promoted by former skipper MS Dhoni. Since then the dual hasn’t looked back. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have scored 4847 runs in 109 ODI matches at an average of 44.87. The duo has registered 16-century stands and 14 fifty run alliances for the team while opening the innings.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have done a fine job
Pathan reveals that Dhawan takes the early risks in the innings as Rohit Sharma is known to take his time before hitting the ground running. Subsequently, when Rohit is settled, he can change the gears swiftly and then Dhawan plays a second fiddle.
“We know Shikhar plays very freely. He gives time to Rohit Sharma. We all know how Rohit Sharma is able to change gears very quickly, but he takes time early on. In cricket you need someone at the other end to understand your strengths and weakness,” Pathan said on the Cricket Connected Show on Star Sports.
“Shikhar understands when Rohit Sharma needs time, for at least the few overs to get himself going,” Pathan said. “So, he used to take the charge and I think that’s what makes him successful. And as soon as the spinners came and Rohit Sharma got settled, he took all the pressure away from Shikhar Dhawan, so that’s why the whole camaraderie really, really went on well for Team India for so many years.”
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