Life has given Shikhar Dhawan a few knocks, but having come through that phase, he in now sailing calmer waters. An eye-popping Test debut, a richly-successful return to the one-day squad, matrimony and now, captaincy of his IPL franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, ahead of the Champions League T20 qualifiers, that get under way here on Tuesday.
Dhawan clearly has learnt his lessons. “Once you score big runs at the start of your international career, you get really confident because that is one part which is really tough as every player is nervous.
“It’s good that I started off really well and I just want to continue the same form and play smart cricket so that I can be consistent. God has been kind and things have been going on really well for me and I would like to continue that way in future too,” Dhawan said here on Sunday.
Dhawan has been in imperious form, following his stunning Test debut at this very ground against Australia last year, followed by the man of the series award at the Champions Trophy in England and plenty of runs in IPL-6.
On his new role, even with national captains like Darren Sammy and Cameron White in the ranks, the 27-year-old said, “It is a new challenge for me and I am really looking forward to it.
“I have been captain for my Delhi team. It’s a great feeling to be captaining the Sunrisers team, it’s really an honour for me and I am looking forward to the job.”
Asked what he would bring to the job, the left-handed opener said, “I am cool and aggressive; aggressive from inside and cool from outside. I want my team to enjoy themselves in the middle, love that intensity, we have already got that, so it’s good.”
On how Dhawan got the nod once Kumar Sangakkara had been called up to represent the Kandurata Maroons, Sri Lanka’s T20 champions, who are also in the qualifying race, Sunrisers coach Tom Moody pointed out, “It wasn’t difficult. We are fortunate as a franchise to have capable leaders within the group, both domestic and international.
“We have international players like Sammy, White and Sangakkara, when he was with us. We are spoilt for choice. With Sangakkara unavailable, this is an important stepping stone for us with regards to building our relationship with Shikhar for the future.
“His cricketing skills are unquestionable. He has shown what he is capable of doing. He has natural leadership skills and it’s an area he has shown interest in developing.”
On the number of younger Indians leading IPL teams like himself, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma of the Mumbai Indians, Dhawan said: “I guess we guys have been playing IPL for long. You get mature when you play for so long.
“With time, you get new responsibilities and I feel change is good, its good time for us and good time for me to be the captain and lead from the front.”
Moody said that had they been playing at home in Hyderabad, they would have had massive support, which was a “huge advantage.” Mohali was a late pick as a venue for the qualifiers as Hyderabad, the original choice, was unable to host the games for reasons of security.
“The three other teams that are here are very good outfits,” the Hyderabad coach said. “We will have to play very well to qualify.”