We want to emulate win record of Australian cricket team of old: Shikhar Dhawan

Indian cricket team’s winning juggernaut has rolled on into the T20I series against Australia as well. After the win in Ranchi in the first T20 of the three-match series, Virat Kohli-led side can very well hope for another series triumph against the team from Down Under. (IND vs AUS 1st T20I highlights)

Already the No. 1 team in ICC ranking as far as Tests and ODIs are concerned, the Men in Blue can be No. 2 in T20Is with a 3-0 result in the ongoing series. With a strong showing in the upcoming T20I series’ against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, they can be in a position to be No. 1 in all three formats.(IND vs AUS 1st T20I scorecard)

The dominance of the Virat Kohli-led side in the past few months has shown its potential to be one of the greatest Indian sides ever. It very well reminds of the MS Dhoni-led Indian team that dominated world cricket a little while back. Even reaching the heights of Steve Smith or Ricky Ponting-led Australian cricket teams is no longer a distant dream, it seems.

“In the current era there are many teams who are almost at par. So, it would be great if we achieve the same results now, what Australia did in old days,” Dhawan, who remained unbeaten on 15 in India’s nine-wicket win in the first T20I, said.

‘Maturing fast’

Dhawan added that the way youngsters like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal have matured in a little time only augurs well for Indian cricket.

“Our team has become really strong now. We have youth as well as experience. The youngsters are maturing fast. The experience that they get from spending time with international players during Indian Premier League is helping the young players a lot,” he added.

‘Bench strength’

The opener added that Indian cricket team has now many options in all the positions and that problem of plenty is good.

“It’s simple, if we do well we will get to play. There are so many good batsmen and the bench strength is really solid. Everybody will get opportunity. Like (Ajinkya) Rahane played really well in the ODIs, in the T20I squad me and KL Rahul are there. Then in Tests we have (Murali) Vijay. There is no dearth of options,” Dhawan said.

Familiarity with conditions

Regarding getting a good start in the T20I series, Shikhar Dhawan said that familiarity with the conditions helped them to stay calm in the 49-run chase (D/L) in six overs.

“The target that Australia set was not much. We were confident that we could achieve it though the wicket was keeping low. But we are used to these conditions and remained calm,” he said.

Regarding his own comeback into the national side after missing the Sri Lanka and Australia ODI series due to personal reasons, Dhawan said he was happy to play his part.

“It’s good that I got a game right after my comeback and scored some runs. I would like to carry this forward in the following matches,” he added.

India next play Australia in the second T20I at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on October 10. The action will then shift to Hyderabad for the third T20I on October 13.