HE HOLDS the record for slamming the quickest ton on Test debut, but Shikhar Dhawan has made it clear that his approach to the traditional five-day format is completely different from the way he enters a Twenty20 game.
Dhawan announced his arrival in the Test arena with a swashbuckling 85-ball century against Australia last month, following which he was ruled out of action due to a hand injury.
“I do change my game a lot. Yes, I did score the fastest century on Test debut but I didn’t plan to do so. It was a lucky day for me and it just happened. But generally when I am playing days of cricket I do go slow. I do prepare very differently for T20 format, mostly suiting to the demands of the game,” Dhawan said.
The 27-year-old Sunrisers Hyderabad player on Thursday (April 25) returned to the field in the ongoing Indian Premier League, and straightaway hogged the limelight with a blazing half-century against Chennai Super Kings.
“When I started batting in the nets I found that I had the same flow and rhythm that I felt during the Test. So, I just came in keeping in mind how to pace my innings and plan it.
“I worked on my skills in the nets and decided to plan the rest on the basis of the wicket and the bowling,” he was quoted as saying by the IPL website.
Forced out of the side due to an injury moments after setting a world record, Dhawan said it was a deeply frustrating break.
“I batted so well in my first Test and then to miss out on playing the second one was very tough. But I tend to see things in a positive way. I believe things happen for the better.”
Dhawan, who came back to bat after getting hit during Thursday’s match, struck four boundaries straightaway.
“I was just feeling good that the pain had lessened and I was again ready to go and bat. I’m pretty used to this pain – I keep getting fractures and such injuries. The pain doesn’t take the smile off my face.
