'Definitely Playing For At Least Another Three Years': Shikhar Dhawan Opens Up On Future Goals

Team India's senior opener Shikhar Dhawan has done well while playing for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022. He is at number six on the list of batters who have scored the most runs in the ongoing season.

Team India's senior opener Shikhar Dhawan

Source : AFP

New Delhi: Indian cricket team's head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma face a big challenge in finding the right team combination and getting the players to decide their roles in view of the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to be played in Australia later this year. International teams all over the world have started preparing for the mega event. The Indian team is no different and is going to announce the team for their upcoming Ind vs SA T20 series, starting June 9. There are many uncapped and senior players in IPL 2022, who have caught the attention of the selectors with their remarkable performances.

Team India's senior opener Shikhar Dhawan has done well while playing for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022. He is at number six on the list of batters who have scored the most runs in the ongoing season. Dhawan has scored 421 runs in 13 IPL matches. With his performance, he has once again presented a strong case in front of selectors in the limited-overs format.

Dhawan believes his experience can come in handy in the T20 set-up.

"Though I remain an integral part of the team, I still feel that I can contribute in the shortest format because of my experience. I have been quite doing well in the T20 format. Whatever role I have been given I have done well.

"I have managed to stay consistent in the formats that I am playing, whether it is the IPL or at the domestic level and I am enjoying it. Consistency is not only about scoring fifties or hundreds frequently, but also about maintaining even gaps between such scores," Dhawan told PTI.

A few months after captaining India in Sri Lanka, Dhawan missed out on the World Cup. He was obviously disappointed but his positive outlook to life helped him move on from that.

"Yes I am a very positive person. It was a dream come true for me leading the team last year. For the T20 World Cup, they thought the (chosen) players were better than me and fair enough. Whatever decision selectors make, I respect that. That happens in life. You accept it and keep doing your job. I only focus on what is in my control and try to make the most of the opportunities that I get," he said.

Having played 34 Tests, 149 ODIs and 68 T20s for India since his debut in 2010, Dhawan wants to carry on for at least three years.

"I don't put unnecessary pressure on myself. It's a race that never ends. If I get into that mindset, I will not be happy and it's not good energy. My ODI average is 45.53. I am always looking for growth, analysing if I can get better. We as cricketers have to remain on our toes and fit to be relevant in the race to represent India. I am playing for the next three years at least. I have been batting quite well for the past few years, I am hopeful and positive that the way I am performing, there are many milestones to achieve," Dhawan said.

"My focus is about the journey and not the destination, it is more about how I am refining myself as a cricketer and how consistently am I performing and as a leader, how am I growing," he said on a philosophical note."