Shikhar Dhawan‘s match-winning knock in the first one-day international match against Zimbabwe earned praise from Aakash Chopra, who praised Dhawan for putting the doubters to silence.
In the opening game of the three-match series, which took place on Thursday, August 18 at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Dhawan hit 81 runs without being dismissed off 113 deliveries. The experienced opener contributed 192 runs to an unbroken stand with Shubman Gill at the first wicket, which contributed to Team India’s dominating 10-wicket victory.
What did Aakash Chopra say about Shikhar Dhawan?
In a video review of the game that Chopra uploaded to his YouTube account, Chopra heaped praise on Dhawan, stating the following about him:
“It is a straightforward narrative for Shikhi (Shikhar). The individual who scores runs at any available chance he has. Therefore, you have made my day, Shikhi boy. Keep up the good work. He is the kind of person who can keep working even when he has his back against the wall and the whole world is against him because he is a positive person.”
Chopra made the observation that Dhawan was able to play well despite the fact that the selectors decided to remove him as captain and give the role to KL Rahul. The former Indian opener gave the following explanation:
“Throughout the series, he served as the captain, but all of a sudden, KL Rahul came back, and he did not continue in that role. When Dhawan was asked about it, he said that it didn’t make any difference to him that he was glad KL was back, and that he would simply continue to play his role regardless of whatever team was playing against him.”
As Rahul was unable to participate because of an injury, Dhawan was given the responsibility of leading the Indian team in the one-day international series against Zimbabwe. However, after demonstrating his fitness, the latter was added to the team and assumed the role of captain. Dhawan was given the responsibility of serving as the captain’s deputy.
