"I was a bit sad because I feel I got that ability to play international cricket." © BCCI
Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan is hoping to use the Indian Premier League as a vehicle to plot his national team comeback. The 31-year-old southpaw heads into the T20 tournament full of confidence after notching up scores of 128, 50 and 45 for India B in the recently-concluded 50-over Deodhar Trophy.
The Delhi batsman had been plagued by inconsistent form in the Test arena before suffering a thumb fracture while playing against New Zealand in Kolkata last October. He didn't feature for India in the remainder of the Test season, returning briefly in the India blue for the One-Day Internationals against England where he could only manage scores of 1 and 11 in the two games he played before making way for the returning Ajinkya Rahane.
His domestic form had tapered off too, before the three matches of the Deodhar Trophy offered a fresh lease of life. "From the time I have been out of the Indian side, every tournament has been important, be it T20, domestic one, the one dayers for my Delhi side," Dhawan said on Monday (April 3). "Unfortunately, it did not go the way I wanted to. But now, by the grace of god, I think things are going my way, I would like to take that good form for long.
"I was a bit sad because I feel I got that ability to play international cricket. I would love to be back in the national side. For that, I would love to perform big in domestic cricket. I am working hard and keeping my process strong and enjoying my game," he added.
The IPL arrives at an opportune time for Dhawan to build on the little momentum he's built through the three games of the Deodhar Trophy. The left-hander enjoyed a particularly productive season last year, aggregating 501 runs at an average of 38.54, and even if those runs were scored at a more sedate rate of 116.78, Dhawan's assured presence allowed team captain and opening partner David Warner to enjoy his most destructive season in Sunrisers' run to the title.
The Hyderabad franchise begin their title defence with a rematch of last season's final against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who will of course be without their talisman Virat Kohli. Dhawan indicated that he'd approach the tournament with composure so as to avoid subjecting himself to unnecessary pressure.
"I'm really looking forward to play the first game and I am going to make sure I keep my nerves in control and just play with a cool mind," he said. "We are all looking forward to the first game.
"Of course, Virat is one of the biggest players in their side. He leads from the front and had an exceptional year last year. It's good for us that he is not there for us. But still, there are big guns in their side. Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson are there. We are preparing well and we are on our toes actually to start on a winning note."
© Cricbuzz
