Shikhar Dhawan delighted to end run drought
Adelaide, Feb 8 (IANS) Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, on Sunday, expressed satisfaction at ending a prolonged run drought with a 71-ball 59 against Australia in India's 106-run loss in a World cup warm-up match here.
Australia posted a massive 371 runs from 48.2 overs, aided by blistering centuries from opener David Warner (104 off 83 balls) and middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell (122 from 57 balls).
India never looked like coming anywhere close to chasing the target and ultimately folded for 265 in 45.1 overs. Dhawan, who endured a poor Australian tour so far, failing to score a single worthwhile knock in the long series, was one of the few positives from the match.
"I don't think I have a big technical problem; I feel am just round the corner when it comes to striking form," he said. "It feels great to be back amongst the runs. More than the runs I am more satisfied with the way the ball is coming off my bat.
"Today the ball went in the places I wanted to hit and with the ease with which I wanted it to."
Dhawan unleashed in wide range of strokes during his knock on Sunday that was studded with four boundaries, a fact that pleased the left-handed batsman. "There were a range of shots that I enjoyed playing today, but it was the cover drive that I hit off Mitchell Marsh that made me feel really good," he said.
"The moment it left my bat it raced away to the extra cover region for a boundary, piercing the field. The highlight of the shot was that it was effortless; and when shots come effortlessly the joy of it is completely different."
The 29-year-old also pointed out he waited eagerly to be back among runs but never lost confidence in his abilities.
"The hunger for runs is always there irrespective of whether I was getting runs or not. The want to get more runs increases when there is a dearth of it.
At those times it is important to be patient and keep your calm. You've got to believe in yourself that you will get the runs for your team," he emphasised.