There is a healthy competition in the team: Shikhar Dhawan

Aug 9, 2016 at 11:12 AM

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There is a healthy competition in the team: Shikhar Dhawan

KL Rahul’s century in the second Test against West Indies might cause a selection conundrum for team India. While Murali Vijay has been a consistent performer at the top order for the last couple of years, Shikhar Dhawan made his case strong by playing a good knock in the first Test. However, speaking to bcci.tv, Dhawan insisted that the competition for the opening slot is a healthy one and the team will eventually benefit from it.

“There is a healthy competition in the team, which is very good for Indian cricket,” Dhawan was quoted as saying by bcci.tv. “Off the field, we are very good friends. I have been opening the innings with Vijay, so we get along well anyway and now Rahul is also a part of the group. We hang out together and go out to have dinners together.

The southpaw insisted that despite being competitors they enjoy each other’s success which is an important virtue for a team to succeed.

“Yes, we are competitors and fighting for a spot as all three are doing well simultaneously, but we enjoy each other’s success. It is beautiful yet a rare thing that sportsmen get to experience. We are large hearted and when one of us does well, all feel happy.”

With the team playing with five specialist batsmen the role of the openers have become important to build a solid platform for the rest of the batsmen. So far the opening batsmen have done their job brilliantly and as a result, the team have batted brilliantly in both the Tests.

“It is our job to see that we don’t get out till the new ball loses it shine so that it becomes easier for others to follow. We are doing well at the moment and will look to do well in the remaining two Tests too,” Dhawan said.

On his batting strategy, Dhawan said: “It was not really a target, but I had sensed that the West Indies bowlers won’t bowl fuller lengths for me drive the ball, which is my strength. I had to counter this by spending time in the middle and wait for loose balls. I know I have the ability to push the run-rate up even if I get off to a slow start,” he said.

India is leading the four-match Test series 1-0 and will look to wrap up the series when the third Test start from August 9 at St Lucia.

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