Shikhar Dhawan was convinced all the way that India would chase 360 to win against Australia at Jaipur. “From the time I walked out of the dressing room, I thought it was a gettable target. Captain (MS Dhoni) had asked us to play ball by ball. So that’s what we did and just enjoy ourselves,” said Dhawan on the eve of the third one-dayer here.
Dhawan added, “300 is a normal target these days. It used to be a big score earlier on. 360 was still a big target. But we had an attitude that we can chase it. Because of our thinking and team effort we won.”
On the personal front, Dhawan noted, “I have matured as a batsman and I value my wicket more. And I am hungrier. I am smiling more! I have started changing things in the nets. More focused and concentration is better.”
Australian captain George Bailey admitted it was tough on the bowlers.
“It’s hard to know what motivates bowlers on these wickets. I think I would like to see a little bit more help for the bowlers if they bend their backs and a little bit for the spinners. But that’s how it is around the world, different conditions. It would be boring if every wicket was the same, it would be boring if every wicket was flat, it would be boring if every wicket helped pacers or spinners.”
On the pitch at Mohali, Bailey said, “Looks like a little bit more grass here, I don’t know if it will stay or go in the next 24 hours. There might be a little bit more life here than at the Jaipur wicket.”