'I have clarity in game and stay quite calm' - Shikhar Dhawan on battling rough patch in his career

India ODI opening batter Shikhar Dhawan has said that he doesn’t read newspapers nor watches news to avoid any negative thoughts. He was criticized for his poor run of form in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy. He made a wonderful comeback in international cricket with 79 runs against South Africa on January 19 in Paarl. His Vijay Hazare scores read 0,12,14,18 and 12 in the five games he played.

However, his side went on to lose the game by 31 runs as they failed to chase down the target of 297. This was the first time since July 2021 when he played an ODI game. His last ODI was against Sri Lanka where he scored 13 runs. Apart from this, he scored 82 not out against the same opposition in the first game. Before this, he played in the three-match ODI series at home and scored two half-centuries.

His poor run in the Vijay Hazare sparked the debate whether the left-hander should be in the team considering his age and the upcoming 2023 World Cup to be played in India. Meanwhile, he was asked about whether he is bothered about the bad patch and the criticism he was facing to which he said he doesn’t read newspapers nor watch the news.

“I don’t listen to the media or don’t read newspapers or watch the news, that way I don’t take all that information,” Dhawan said as quoted by India Today.

The 36-year-old added that he has full confidence in his abilities and tries to stay calm. He also said that ups and downs are part of life which is nothing new.

I have full confidence in myself that what my game is: Shikhar Dhawan

“I have full confidence in myself that what my game is and I have clarity on that and I stay quite calm. And this is part of life, this happens in life, everyone’s life has ups and downs, so it is nothing new and not happening for the first time or for the last time in my career or my life, so it is alright, that only makes me stronger,” added the 36-year-old.

The Delhi-opener further added that he is used to listening to the talks of him getting dropped from the team. He also said that he makes sure his preparation is good.

“These talks (to drop him) always are there and I am used to it and I just know how to give my best and I always make sure that my preparation is quite good and the process is good and then I leave it on God. and I know that with my experience and my self-confidence, I’ll do good and I am happy that I did well today,” the flamboyant opener concluded.