Shikhar Dhawan bats for hoisting tricolour in universities

"I feel the tricolour is the pride of the country”

Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Friday batted for the union government's decision that the tricolour should be hoisted in all central university campuses.

"I feel the tricolour is the pride of the country. You have touched upon a very sensitive topic. I love my country and 'mai isi desh ka khaata hu'. One should never say anything ill about the country you live in. It (unfurling of the national flag) is not a bad move," said the opening batsman.

"Only last night when I was watching the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) on television, when they played the national anthem, I subconsciously stood up. You take pride playing for your country. All of us have that responsibility."

Dhawan was responding to a question at the launch here of a footwear brand Zeven, regarding a conference of central university vice chancellors resolving on Thursday that the tricolour should be hoisted in the campuses.

The question was in connection with the alleged anti-national activities by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students recently.

Preparations for Asia Cup are good: Dhawan

Asked about the preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup and the all- important World Twenty20, the opening batsman said: "The preparations are good. We are practising hard. We will play quite a few matches in the next few days which will be good. The team is ready for the upcoming tournaments."