IND vs SA: Shikhar Dhawan says not worried about competition

IND vs SA: Shikhar Dhawan not bothered about outside noise – Removed from T20I team, veteran India opener Shikhar Dhawan was staring at a bleak future with stiff competition from youngsters. Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad besides the captain and the vice-captain of the ODI team Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are on his path to open for India. But Dhawan made a fine statement smashing 79 off 84 balls in the 1st ODI. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.

Shikhar Dhawan knows who he is up against and what he needs to do in order to be knocking on selectors’ doors for every series. The 79-run knock will also mean he will keep Ruturaj Gaikwad at bay.

IND vs SA: After smashing 79 on ‘first team’ return, Shikhar Dhawan declares, ‘Not bothered about competition, outside noise, I’m fully confident’

Also Read: SA beat IND 1st ODI: Rigid captaincy, middle-order failure and Bavuma-Dussen tons hand India 31-run thrashing to begin post-Kohli era

“The talks are always there, I just know how to give my best with preparations. I know that with my experience and with my self-confidence, I will do and I am happy that I did well today,” Shikhar Dhawan said at the post-match virtual press conference on Wednesday.

While for every cricketer the 2023 World Cup at home would be a target, Shikhar Dhawan avoided the question. He said the target will be to stay fit and score runs. He said he avoids noise regarding his future and stay in a positive frame of mind.

IND vs SA: After smashing 79 on ‘first team’ return Shikhar Dhawan declares, ‘Not bothered about competition, outside noise, I’m fully confident’

“I do not listen to the media or watch the news, that way I do not take any information. I have confidence in my abilities and I stay quite calm. This is a part and parcel of the game. That only makes me stronger,” Shikhar Dhawan said.

As for the match, Dhawan said losing wickets in clusters didn’t help India as they crashed to a 31-run defeat. Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen’s centuries were backed by a spirited bowling performance as South Africa defeated India by 31 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series. For India, only Shikhar Dhawan (79), Shardul Thakur (50*), and Virat Kohli (51) got going with the bat, and otherwise, it was a disappointing show.

Hundred up for India! 🙌

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have put on a half-century stand.

Watch the series live on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (in select regions)#SAvIND | https://t.co/P4UbRkIzIW pic.twitter.com/FpgsfFOYFD

— ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2022

IND vs SA: After smashing 79 on ‘first team’ return Shikhar Dhawan declares, ‘Not bothered about competition, outside noise, I’m fully confident’

“When you are chasing 300 and you are coming in, you cannot go after the ball immediately, it is not easy. When we lost wickets in a cluster, it impacted us in the game. I just thought about playing to the merit of the ball, it was not a typical South African wicket, when I got the flow, I just looked to carry on with that,” he added.

Earlier, Rassie van der Dussen (129*) and Temba Bavuma (110) were the bright spots with the bat as South Africa posted 296/4. Bavuma and van der Dussen put on a stand of 204 runs for the fourth wicket and this is the second-highest by a South African pair in ODIs against India.

IND vs SA: After smashing 79 on ‘first team’ return Shikhar Dhawan declares, ‘Not bothered about competition, outside noise, I’m fully confident’

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