{"id":168199,"date":"2024-11-05T05:59:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T05:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/05\/exclusive-despite-new-zealand-setback-shikhar-dhawan-believes-rohit-sharma-can-steer-india-to-hat-trick-of-triumphs-down-under-cricket-news-times-of-india\/"},"modified":"2024-11-05T05:59:22","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T05:59:22","slug":"exclusive-despite-new-zealand-setback-shikhar-dhawan-believes-rohit-sharma-can-steer-india-to-hat-trick-of-triumphs-down-under-cricket-news-times-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/05\/exclusive-despite-new-zealand-setback-shikhar-dhawan-believes-rohit-sharma-can-steer-india-to-hat-trick-of-triumphs-down-under-cricket-news-times-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"EXCLUSIVE | Despite New Zealand setback, Shikhar Dhawan believes Rohit Sharma can steer India to hat-trick of triumphs Down Under | Cricket News – Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"EXCLUSIVE<\/div>


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Former India batter Shikhar Dhawan during a T20 League. (X: Shikhar Dhawan)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

NEW DELHI: Team India faced a humbling 0-3 series defeat against New Zealand<\/a> on home soil, marking the first time the hosts have been swept by a visiting team in 24 years<\/a>. This significant loss has also dealt a blow to India\u2019s World Test Championship Final chances<\/a>, as they now must secure victories in four of the five Tests in Australia to qualify for the title clash – without needing help from others.
Despite India’s struggles in the recent home series, former opener Shikhar Dhawan<\/a> remains optimistic about Rohit Sharma<\/a>‘s ability to lead India to victory in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India previously clinched consecutive Test series wins in Australia, first under Virat Kohli’s leadership in 2018-19 and then under Ajinkya Rahane in 2020-21. Now, with Rohit at the helm, they will be aiming for a historic third straight series win on Australian soil.
The much-anticipated series begins on November 22, with the first Test set in Perth. The second Test, scheduled from December 6 to 10, will be a day-night contest at the Adelaide Oval. The series then moves to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, from December 14 to 18. The iconic Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground will be the fourth Test, held from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test match will take place in Sydney from January 3.
TimesofIndia.com<\/span> caught up with Dhawan, a veteran of 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, to discuss his post-retirement life, the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit\u2019s role in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his recent meeting with Rishabh Pant<\/a>, and much more.
How has retirement been treating you? Do you feel you stepped away from the game sooner than expected?<\/span>
For the last couple of years, I wasn\u2019t playing much international cricket. I was active in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but I felt like I was getting rusty. I lacked motivation, especially for domestic cricket<\/a>, which I had played for many years. I started my Ranji Trophy career when I was just 17 or 18. At this age, I didn\u2019t feel the drive to continue playing domestically. I knew a comeback to international cricket wasn\u2019t likely because there\u2019s a natural age limit to a career, and I had crossed that threshold.
Whenever selectors choose a team, they\u2019re always looking toward the future. They don\u2019t only consider current scenarios but think about what lies ahead. New talent is coming up and being prepared to represent India for the next 10 years. I\u2019m content with what I\u2019ve achieved in international cricket. I knew the gap had become too wide. It wasn\u2019t that I couldn\u2019t play more, but I didn\u2019t have the same confidence as someone who plays regular cricket. I didn\u2019t want to train for months just to play in the IPL and then sit out again. Of course, I\u2019ve gained immense experience in my field.
There\u2019s pressure too. I felt that pressure because I wasn\u2019t playing throughout the year, but then had to perform in a major tournament like the IPL. I realised it was the right time to call it a day<\/a>. I could have continued for another year or two, but I preferred to step away now. It felt like the right time to move on and hang up my boots.
Fans will surely miss the iconic ‘Thigh Five’ …<\/span><\/p>\n

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shikhar dhawan unbelievable catch | Gabbar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I\u2019m really grateful to fans and everyone who loved my \u2018Thigh Five.\u2019 I\u2019ll miss it too, but I\u2019m now playing in various leagues and enjoying this new chapter in my career.
You’ve shined in ICC tournaments over the years. What\u2019s your standout memory from those performances?<\/span>
I have so many memories close to my heart, especially in ICC tournaments<\/a>. The 2013 Champions Trophy stands out. I vividly remember scoring a century in my comeback match against South Africa in Cardiff on a seaming wicket. Rohit and I put up a solid opening stand, and I went on to score a century. That was a huge moment for me. I also remember my century against the West Indies in that tournament. And, of course, I\u2019ll never forget the dance celebration after we won the title\u2014I was doing bhangra, and Virat was dancing to \u2018Gangnam Style.\u2019 Those are unforgettable memories.<\/p>\n

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shekhar dhawan smashes his maiden odi century | icc champion trophy 2013<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I also performed well in the 2015 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy, winning the Golden Bat twice in both Champions Trophies. Another memorable innings was my last World Cup match in 2019, where I scored a century despite injuring my hand while batting on 25. That innings will always be close to my heart because I played it through immense pain with a broken hand.
With India fresh off a 2024 ICC T20 World Cup victory, the focus now shifts to next year\u2019s ICC Champions Trophy. How do you assess India’s chances of adding another trophy to the cabinet?<\/span>
We have a strong chance to win the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. We just won the T20 World Cup and reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The team is in excellent form and rhythm. With Gautam Bhai as coach, and under the guidance of Rahul Bhai, we\u2019ve done really well. We have a great mix of seniors and youngsters, which is crucial.
After a disappointing <\/span>series loss to New Zealand at home<\/a>, India head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Do you think we\u2019re in a position to complete a hat-trick of series wins in Australia?<\/span>
I believe we have a solid chance to bag a hat-trick of title wins in Australia. We\u2019ve done exceptionally well in the last two series there. I\u2019m sure the team will go to Australia with a positive, winning mindset. Rohit, Virat, and even Bumrah have played extensively in Australia, and they\u2019ll share their experiences with the younger players. This new generation is confident, motivated, and eager to perform. They\u2019ve established themselves quickly on the international stage, which is a tremendous advantage for us in Australia. And though pace is always a challenge there, our batters are well-prepared to handle it.
Since his car accident in 2022, what changes have you noticed in Rishabh Pant, both on and off the field?<\/span>

Jab banda maut ke muh se bach ke aata hai to uska dekhne ka nazaria hi badal jata hai<\/span> (When a person returns after escaping the jaws of death, their perspective on life completely changes). I haven\u2019t experienced anything like Rishabh\u2019s accident myself, but his gratitude toward life has deepened. Imagine not being able to move, eat, or even go to the toilet independently for months. It\u2019s unimaginable what he must have gone through. But what\u2019s amazing about Rishabh is his positivity. When I visited him, he was lying in bed with a huge smile on his face. That\u2019s the spirit of Rishabh Pant. That\u2019s why he\u2019s back on the field, performing brilliantly. He\u2019s mentally stronger now, and he appreciates life in a new way. He\u2019s developed these high-vibrational qualities. He\u2019s always been carefree, and I\u2019m sure that will stay with him for life.
During the New Zealand series, he was heard saying ‘mujhe kya pata tha ye hindi bol payega<\/a>‘ (How was I supposed to know he could even speak Hindi). That\u2019s just Rishabh being Rishabh\u2014completely himself, full of confidence and self-belief. The way he hit that six off Tim Southee was remarkable. He brings so much joy and excitement to fans and everyone who watches him.<\/div>\n