A desperate Indian team will pray for a rain-free third and final ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday in its bid to finish on an even keel in a series that neither had context nor any major takeaways.
Consistency has always been a problem with Shikhar Dhawan since his first-class debut back in 2004 but after his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad, the Delhi left-hander is determined not to let this chance go abegging.
A look at the best batters in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings match.
His brilliant 73-run knock in the warm-up game against South Africa might have fallen just short of ensuring a win for India, but opener Shikhar Dhawan said the crucial time he had spent at the crease has made him more "wiser" ahead of their ICC World Twenty20 campaign. Chasing a steep 197 for win, Dhawan smashed 73 off 53 balls before retiring but the knock was not enough to take India home as the hosts fell short by four runs at the Wankhede Stadium last night. "As (an) individual, it was a good learning for me as I batted till the 15th-16th over, so with my calculation for the next coming games, I will be more better. It was a good learning for me and I got more wiser," Dhawan told reporters at the post-match conference on Saturday night. Asked why despite having some of the best finishers of the game, India failed to cross the hurdle, the 30-year-old left-hander said, "Certainly, these are normal things. It does not happen that the best finishers will always guarantee you to complete the task. Everyone gave their best and that's what matters. "We were chasing such a big total, and wickets fell early on, after that there was a good partnership and came so close. It was only a matter of two runs. We learnt a lot from this game. What we have learnt, will be implemented in the future."
Former selector Sarandeep Singh called Rohit-Dhawan the 'best option' despite skipper Virat Kohli's recent interest in the slot.
He will have to fight it out with the in-form KL Rahul and a solid Murali Vijay for one of the opening slots in the playing XI of the Test team but Shikhar Dhawan terms the competition "good for Indian cricket" and finds "nothing wrong with it". "I am aware that there could be three players for two (opening) spots. But there is nothing wrong in it. In fact it is good for Indian cricket. To have healthy competitions among players for places in the team is good for Indian cricket and the game in general.
India batting icons Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman tell Harish Kotian what opener Shikhar Dhawan must do to regain lost form.
India opener Murali Vijay is relieved that his off-the field friendship with KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan has helped him deal with sensitive selection matters with ease.
Who do YOU think should be part of India's playing XI for Thursday's second ODI against England at Lord's?
Dhawan said that he keeps the doors of communication opens to the youngsters.
The first One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka witnessed important milestones being set and new records being made.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, in Bengaluru, on Monday.
Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan had a memorable debut in the international arena during the third Test against England, becoming the only fourth Indian to score twin half-centuries on Test debut.
Having given ample demonstration of his appetite for notching up big scores, India's batting sensation Shikhar Dhawan on Tuesday said he has become mentally strong, and that his shot selection has got better in the past one year.
Having regained his form with two unbeaten knocks in the league stage of the cricket World Cup, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has gained two spots to be placed eight in the latest ICC batting rankings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma's wedding reception in New Delhi on Thursday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI in the second T20 International against England on Sunday?
Man of the Match for his 113 not out off 111 balls, Shreyas Iyer said, "I am ecstatic. When I went in to bat, I spoke to Ishan and he was of the mindset to take on the bowlers. So we decided to play the ball on merit and see how it goes.
I really like the look of Shikhar Dhawan. He's a talented, aggressive opener, says former Australia captain Ian Chappell.
Fit-again India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is attempting to make his comeback by taking part in the D Y Patil T20 tournament, starting in Mumbai, on Monday. Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are also on their road to recovery after sustaining injuries.
'From passing the ball in the right passages to the defence to amazing guarding of the goals by Sandhu throughout the tournament it has been a top notch performance from the entire squad.'
India opener Shikhar Dhawan, on Tuesday, said the selectors have picked a 'very strong side' for the the ICC World Cup starting May 30 in the United Kingdom.
West Indies are smarting from their 0-3 loss at home in the ODIs against Bangladesh. All-rounder Jason Holder has made a comeback and will give much needed balance to the side, led by Nicholas Pooran.
Top India batsman Shikhar Dhawan saw it as a historic day of celebration, while former cricketer Mohammed Kaif reminded the country of its culture of peaceful coexistence as sportspersons reacted to the bhoomi pujan ceremony for a temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
In David Warner's absence, Shikhar Dhawan lead from the front.
The Elite list is set to comprise only three players ---skipper Virat Kohli, his limited overs deputy Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.
Punjab Kings need a big win to keep their IPL 2023 Play-Off hopes alive against wooden spooners Delhi Capitals.
Jaiswal's knock was a perfect blend of attack and defence.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings in Guwahati on Wednesday.
Seamer Shardul Thakur took 3/38 as India completed a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe to claim victory in their three-match One-Day International series with a game to spare at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Two Indian batsmen are now in the top five of the ICC ODI rankings, with Virat Kohli remaining at number three and opener Shikhar Dhawan climbing up the ladder to fifth after earning four places in the latest list issued on Wednesday.
Paceman Kane Richardson claimed his maiden five-wicket haul to script India's spectacular collapse and bowl Australia to a 25-run victory in the high-scoring fourth one day international on Wednesday. Three batsmen struck centuries in the 671-run match between the world's top two one-day teams but it was Richardson's (5-68) incisive bowling that clinched the contest, while also earning him the man-of-the-match award. Chasing 349 for victory, India were cruising at 277 for one before losing their last nine wickets for 46 runs to succumb to their fourth successive defeat in the five-match series. Opener Shikhar Dhawan (126) and Virat Kohli (106) featured in a 212-run stand for the visitors before the wheels came off India's chase at Canberra's Manuka Oval.
Hardik Pandya's late cameo and half-century from opener Shikhar Dhawan helped India outclass Australia by six wickets in a high-scoring thriller in the second T20 International to seal the T20 series 2-0, in Sydney, on Sunday.
'We have learnt a lot of things. Especially when we played in Kolkata (during first Test against SL) and in Dharamsala (first ODI)'
The 34-year-old said their off-the-field chemistry has worked well for them.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Friday's opening ODI against the West Indies?
'You guys watch, I will be lifting the World Cup also.'
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was left ruing the four-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings in their own den.
Delhi Capitals Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw ensured they scored at over 10-an-over in the Powerplay.
India, missing their top players, aim to punch above their weight and seal a memorable series victory against South Africa in the third and final ODI in New Delhi on Tuesday.
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