After a dream Test debut, Shikhar Dhawan has seen tougher side of international cricket and the opening batsman says he has learnt to value failure as much as success in the last one year, having experienced both ups and downs in his career.
Insisting that failures in England would help him become a better batsman, Dhawan said, “Last one year has been a learning experience for me as I have seen both success and failure. But if you don’t know what failure is, you won’t be able to enjoy success. I am learning everyday.
“Those six innings that I failed (referring to England Test matches) probably will help me to play 50 good innings,” Dhawan said in a pragmatic tone ahead of India’s second ODI against West Indies, here tomorrow.
Dhawan revealed that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s backing was a big boost for him during tough times.
“It’s very important for a player to have his captain’s backing him during a lean patch and I have received a lot of support from the skipper. He has been India captain for so long and he knows what a player requires. Even the support staff backed me to play my natural game,” said Dhawan.
Has he changed anything in his game, Dhawan explained: “As you go along the way, you learn new things but my basic game has remained the same. You learn about the mental aspect of the game as in how to disturb the flow of the bowlers. You get matured with experience.”
Dhawan have had a successful opening partnership with Rohit Sharma in ODIs. But after Rohit got injured, Dhawan has been pairing up with Ajinkya Rahane, and the Delhi batsman feels Rahane’s aggressive streak has helped him.
“I love opening with both Rohit and Ajinkya. Ajinkya is the aggressor and hits the ball really well. I then take my time to play shots while at times it’s the opposite. It’s just been two games (four in total) with Ajinkya but I am enjoying it. It’s good when runs start coming from both ends,” he said.
Dhawan has got out to off spinners a number of times but the left hander said it was hardly a matter of concern.
“I am not saying I won’t ever get out to off-spinners but I am batting well against them,” said Dhawan.
