Playing his first-class match for the first time in more than 15 months, Shikhar Dhawan marks his comeback with a gritty ton on Day 1 at Kotla. On a cold day, Delhi was asked to bat against the seaming ball in terrifying conditions for top-order batsmen. Hyderabad pacers jolted Delhi at regular intervals but Dhawan, who came back from an injury, brought all his experience to rescue Delhi from 4 for 2 with an unbeaten 137. It was not Dhawan’s usual attacking innings as the conditions were challenging but the southpaw fight it out to steer Delhi to 269/6 by stumps.
Dhawan on a tough English like conditions at Kotla, curbed his natural instinct at the start and hardly played any drives against the fast bowlers. The opener, for long parts played balls only close to the body. However, Dhawan did play an ambitious drive, on 67, but was reprieved by what turned out to be a no-ball. Dhawan rectified his mistake and again went back to his Box Cricket Play. He only opened up when moved to 80s. He deposited the spinners into the stands. A slog-swept six and a late-cut double took him to his hundred. The celebrations were muted but he must have felt satisfied as it was his first first-class score of 50 or more in 18 months.
I haven't forgotten how to bat
On the eve of the match, a confident Dhawan talked about his injuries and recent failures and said that he hasn't forgotten to bat.
"I have never said it has been frustrating. Injuries are nature’s gift. I just accept it,” he said. “The start-stop things doesn’t affect me. I haven’t forgotten how to bat. My class is permanent and I will score runs”, Dhawan declared.
Dhawan also talked about his critics and how it doesn’t affect his game.
"Critics do their own job and I don't ever get frustrated by that. If they feel that way, that's their opinion. In my heart I know that I have given my best. But if my best wasn't good enough, it's fine, I accept it", he said. Ironically, he is readying for a white-ball comeback with a four-day match. He further said, "I see red-ball cricket as I should be seeing red-ball cricket. Whether I am in Test team or not is immaterial. I know what game I have".
Shikhar Dhawan will be back in the shorter format in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka but with this innings, the stylish batsman has undoubtedly knocked the door for the Test spot as well.
