Virat's absence made me more responsible: Dhawan

Dhawan believes that absence of skipper Kohli not only made him feel more responsible but also gave the team management an opportunity to test the upcoming middle order batsmen.

Ahead of the Asia Cup final against Bangladesh, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan said the absence of skipper Virat Kohli not only made him feel more responsible but also gave the team management an opportunity to test the upcoming middle order batsmen.

Dhawan, who is the highest run-scorer of the Asia Cup with two hundreds to his name, have been giving India solid starts in almost every match. 

When asked whether there was extra pressure on the two senior batsmen in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli, the southpaw said: "It was not like that we felt that we had more responsibility in Virat's absence. It was a tournament where the management could give the opportunity to the upcoming players, find out who all are equipped to bat in the middle order.

"That is why we took rest also (against Afghanistan) so that guys who have not spent time in the middle get to do that. Virat around or not, Rohit and I approach every match the same way, with the same effort. There is obviously a lot of difference between England weather and the weather here but we train well to deal with that."

Expressing his thoughts about tomorrow's final, Dhawan said that Bangladesh would pose a stiff challenge even though India beat them comfortably in Super Four. 

"Pakistan may be a bigger team on paper but Bangladesh played better cricket than them and are in the final again. They are always tough to beat, especially at home. They are showing by performances they have gotten so much better. They know how to play under pressure.

"They play fearlessly against big teams and you have to appreciate that. Having said that, it takes time (to win major events). For them reaching the final is also a big thing. Hopefully, we will win tomorrow but you will see them crossing the barrier in some other tournament."

On India-Bangladesh rivalry getting bigger with time, especially after the 2015 series when the latter won at home, Dhawan added: "Well, there was rivalry before that also. There will always be a rivalry on the field. Off the field, we are friends but on it we have to do our job."