IPL 2016: David Warner eased pressure on me, says Shikhar Dhawan
Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan praised his skipper David Warner for easing the pressure on him after the former had a jittery start in this season of the IPL.
Dhawan was heavily criticised for his poor start up the order in the ninth edition of the tournament, but has picked himself up and has been performing decently for his team.
“I would like to credit David Warner. He is in such great form that I have been able to take my time in the middle to get set and get those scores for the team. That level of confidence brushes off on me and it creates a sense of ease for me,” Dhawan told iplt20.com.
The Delhi-born left-hander, who regained his form during the match against Gujarat Lions on April 21, scored another important knock and led his team to a five-wicket victory over the same side in Hyderabad on April 6. Dhawan played a flamboyant innings of 47 off 40 in the low scoring match and helped SRH chase 129.
Dhawan also said that he does not feel the need to play unnecessary risky shots while batting with Warner, adding that he was happy with his role as the opening batsman and partnering with the Australian big-hitter.
Also read: IPL 2016: A tournament for the opening batsmen
"There is no case of playing rash shots or the need to push hard because the guy at the other end is playing his role to perfection. There are certain targets that we have as an opening pair and in the process of fulfilling it we even have to take risks at times.
"But when there is someone like Warner at the other end who is thrashing every bowler from the opposition, my risk taking factor becomes less.”
He said that there have been times when his side has demanded multiple roles off him, adding that he is happy to have contributed for it along with Warner.
“My role differs from game to game according to the situation and the way my partnership with Warner is going on. It is going good at the moment,” the 30-year old added.
Sunrisers have won five out of their eight games and are in the fourth position on the points table and will be taking on the Mumbai Indians in Vishakapatnam today. The game is crucial for both the teams as they are in the competition to make it to the play-offs.