“Just showed how an opener’s innings look like” – Fans react as Shikhar Dhawan hits 72 off 77 against New Zealand
Stand-in India captain Shikhar Dhawan led from the front in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday (November 25).
The southpaw scored 72 runs off 77 balls, including 13 boundaries. He shared a 124-run stand with Shubman Gill for the first wicket to give Team India a decent start.
After failing to deliver in the ODI series against South Africa, Dhawan came out with all guns blazing against the Blackcaps to reach his 39th half-century.
He has so far amassed 639 runs in 17 matches this year at a decent average of 37.58, including six half centuries.
♀️Dha-one & only Captain Shikhar, everybody! 🙇♀️🙇♂️
Enjoy the skipper's milestone moment from the 1st #NZvIND ODI, LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Prime Video bit.ly/NZvIND1stODIon…
#NZvINDonPrime #CricketOnPrime https://t.co/J91fbikMEd
Fans were impressed with Dhawan’s batting performance and hailed the opener for his good form.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter:
Good batting Gabbar.
@SDhawan25 🔥
#NZvsIND
Well played Shikhar Dhawan. Scored 72(77). Start was slow but the way he accelerated was amazing.
#NZvIND
Thop innings anna next match century ploxx... @SDhawan25
@BCCI @SDhawan25 gabbaar back into form!
Warra Innings by Shikhar Dhawan 👏👏👏
Agendas aside, but still one of the best openers for Team India
#crickettwitter #INDvNZ #ShikharDhawan https://t.co/VyOnm6i1hk
Good to see Shikhar Dhawan scoring. Man really deserves to play longer✨
A captain's knock from Shikhar Dhawan👏
#ShikharDhawan #NZvIND #NZvsIND #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ #India #NewZealand #ODI #ODIs #Cricket #Sportsbettingmarkets https://t.co/Haq6yr75kP
Brilliant knock @SDhawan25 ❤❤😍🔥
Playing international match after so long time
Taking time at first
Then just blast 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Giving answer to some pichi puk haters 🔥 https://t.co/druzxeopq2
#ShikharDhawan & #shubhmangill just showed how an opener’s innings look like. #NZvINDonPrime #INDvsNZ
@BCCI @SDhawan25 Shikhar Dhawan is regularly playing and captaining India in ODI. I just hope BCCi doesn't ditch him at the last end in next year's WC.
Shikhar Dhawan is the most underrated batter. Agree?
#NZvIND
The way @SDhawan25 striking ball looks so so so fine.
Somewhere @BCCI and #IndianCricketTeam fans missed #ShikharDhawan in #T20WorldCup
“I get more off time and able to stay fresher and stronger” – Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan feels that playing only one format in international cricket is a blessing in disguise, as he is able to stay fresh and strong to give his best for Team India.
th ODI half-century! 
bit.ly/NZvIND-1STODI 
FIFTY for @SDhawan25 - his 3⃣9⃣th ODI half-century! 👍 👍
#TeamIndia inching closer to the 100-run mark
Follow the match 👉 bit.ly/NZvIND-1STODI
#NZvIND
📸 Courtesy: Photosport NZ https://t.co/x8a89Un404
Speaking to reporters, Dhawan said:
"I get more off time and am able to stay fresher and stronger. When I was playing all the formats, it was a lot of cricket. I make sure that I keep myself in that groove. When I enter the team, I make sure that I keep up with the pace of the team, otherwise, I will be left behind."
He also hailed the team management for providing clarity about his role amid criticism regarding Sanju Samson's absence from T20Is.
"Communication on part of coach and captain is the key in such a situation. Players get clarity that why they are not being played. When such transparency is there, players understand that this all is for a bigger interest, the interest of the team."
On the leadership front, Shikhar Dhawan will look to continue his good form and guide India to another series win after victories against South Africa (2-1) and the West Indies (3-0).
Team India will aim to avenge the 0-3 loss that they suffered in New Zealand back in 2019.
As far as the match is concerned, Dhawan and Co. have chosen to go ahead with only five specialist bowlers, as Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik made their ODI debuts.