Outcast Indian opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, in a recent interview, thanked current India captain Rohit Sharma for supporting him throughout the time the duo came out to bat together. Dhawan credited Rohit for providing comfort and assurance from the other end during the times when he scored big runs.
The pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma was perhaps one of the best opening pairs India has ever had after the legendary pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. India has rarely seen a left-right combination of Viru and Gauti and after they were overlooked by the management, it was Dhawan and Rohit who took the responsibility.
The two began opening together under MS Dhoni’s captaincy in 2013 when Dhawan re-entered the Indian team and Rohit Sharma found a new role and a new place to bat. Their first major success as a pair came in 2013 when India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating host nation England.
Then for the next 6 years, both kept their form and performance intact but after 2020, Shikhar Dhawan slowly fell down the pecking order. Players like Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, among others, were chosen before him, while Rohit Sharma became the captain of the national team.
Currently, the door for Dhawan’s return to the Indian team seems remote and distant, but the love and admiration he still has for his former opener is truly astonishing. Dhawan, while talking to Times of India, claimed that his partnership with Rohit is the most successful couple ever.
“Rohit Sharma and I have formed one of the most successful opening partnerships for the Indian cricket team in limited overs cricket, according to me. My collaboration with Rohit and support from him at the other end of the order has been instrumental in providing good starts to the team, laying the foundation for successful chases and big totals. I really give credit for many of my best performances to Rohit’s support.” – said Shikhar Dhawan.
“Our best innings was the 193-run opening against Australia,” says Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan stated that Rohit gave him assurance and comfort whenever he set his mind to something big. Dhawan said that he is very proud of the fact that they have scored more than 6000 runs together as a pair, including 19 century stands and 16 half-centuries.
He then recalled their best innings together and stated that their 193-run stand for the first wicket against Australia is their favorite innings together. Their second favorite was the one they played against Pakistan, a 210-run partnership during the 2018 Asia Cup.
“Rohit, at the other end, brings that sense of comfort and security. We have achieved more than 6,000 races together, with 19 century stands and 16 half-century stands. I think our best innings was a 193-run opening stand against Australia in the fourth ODI in Mohali in 2019 and the second best will be against Pakistan in the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai where we put together a 210-run first-wicket stand. .” – Rohit Sharma concluded.
