My focus is on next year’s 50-overs World Cup: Shikhar Dhawan

With Shikhar Dhawan not being on the selector’s radar in India’s T20I team, the left-hander has revealed his entire focus is on the next year’s 50-overs World Cup. Dhawan has a love affair with the ICC events and he will be looking to be at his best in ODI cricket after not being in the reckoning for the T20I team.

The southpaw had last played a T20I match against Sri Lanka in 2021 and since then he hasn’t received any opportunities. However, Dhawan has been a consistent performer in ODI form for the Men in Blue and he is going to hold the key in next year’s World Cup.

“I love playing in ICC tournaments. There is always a different feeling and satisfaction and I’ve had some very good tournaments in the past. I prepare and approach every tournament exactly the same way,” Dhawan told The Times of India.

“Every time I wear the Indian jersey, pressure is always there, and the thing is, as an experienced player, I know how to handle pressure. The buzz definitely helps, because it adds motivation to my game. I don’t get over-awed by the moment, because my focus, process, and preparation are the same for any tournament I am playing in,” he added.

Dhawan had recently led India in the three-match series against West Indies, which the visitors went on to win by 3-0. The southpaw had also scored a superb knock of 97 runs in the first game against the Windies. In fact, Dhawan had looked a bit rusty in the series against England but he scored a total of 168 runs in three matches against the Caribbean nation.

The left-hander said he is focusing on the 50-overs World Cup and will look to give his best to the team.

“My focus is definitely on next year’s 50-overs World Cup, and for that, I want to play as many matches as possible for India and do well in them. In between, there is the IPL as well, so I will try to continue to perform there and look to play the domestic one-day and T20 matches and keep myself match-fit and ready,” Dhawan added.

In fact, Dhawan had earlier said he doesn’t know why he isn’t considered for the T20I team but he is happy to now be a one-format player for the national team.

Dhawan will be in action in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, with the first match to be played on August 18.