I have great bonding with Australian players, says Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan has been India’s man in form since the beginning of the Champions Trophy. He was the highest run-getter at the tournament in which India finished as runners-up and then carried his form to the Caribbean as well.

So far, he has scored 156 runs, including two half-centuries in four innings against the Windies. He will have to play a vital role as India look to win the fifth and final One-Day International and take home a series win.

In a video interaction with Cricbuzz, Dhawan was reminiscing his Team India debut against Australia, the match in which he hit a spectacular hundred. “I was nervous when I walked out to bat. I had decided to bat calmly but the fours kept coming. The body was not ready to play a defensive game. So, I thought let’s play aggressive cricket only but smartly. And I ended up creating a world record,” he said.

In recent times, the relationship between the Indian cricketers and the Australian cricketers has been a little strained. When asked how his experience was in his debut match, the left-handed opener said, “I don’t remember of any sledging on that day. And I was in my zone. But we know how good sledgers Australian cricketers are. And I have a great bonding with them. However, there have been many instances when a lot of sledging was done.”

Watson sledged Dhawan after hitting him in the ribs

Dhawan, however, talked about one incident involving Shane Watson during an ODI series between the two countries. He recalled that he had been hit in the ribs and he was in pain. He said, “Watson bowled a ball which hit me in my ribs. It was paining a lot and he asked me if I was enjoying the pain. And I had to take it. So, when I came to field, I mimicked him, something he didn’t like it.”

“But everything is fair in love, war and cricket,” he concluded.