In-form opener Shikhar Dhawan said that his batsmen colleagues will take the IPL experience of playing against international bowlers to compete well against South Africa’s top notch speedsters.
At a promotional event on Friday he said: “I feel that all players in our side have benefited from the IPL because we got opportunities to play against international bowlers. The nervousness will no longer be there because we have already faced them in the IPL. We are all very confident going into the South Africa series. We aim to do well in South Africa and win the series.’’
The aggressive left hander is looking forward to his first Test series overseas.
Dhawan said there will be time to prepare after reaching South Africa. “The good thing is that when you play Australia you are facing quality fast bowlers like Mitchell Johnson and others. We guys have been playing so much of cricket that we are totally into cricket and we don’t get much time for preparation; we have got just three days off. I guess the boys need to take a bit of rest and get out of the cricket mode for a few days at least and then come back. Before playing the main matches in South Africa we will have enough of time to prepare and get used to the conditions.’’
“I have gone to South Africa (with India A). So I have the advantage of having played there and performed. I can take confidence from that. The pitches there will be helpful to the bowlers and good for the batsmen, too. Our shots and preparation will be according to the pitch.’’
Reflecting on his ODI opening partner Rohit Sharma he said: “He has been doing really great for India this season. Making a double century in one-day is one of the biggest things. I am really happy for him.
“We are very good friends and we enjoy each others success, that is the beauty of the team at the moment. I feel happy that he is doing well and I am also doing well. Virat has been doing consistently and so I am really happy that the top order is firing and giving a good base to our batting line-up.’’
