WI done, Australia next on radar : The Tribune India

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Shikhar Dhawan did not have a single big score in the ODIs and T20I series against West Indies before he hammered a match-wining 92 in the last T20I in Chennai .

Chennai, November 12

India’s stand-in captain Rohit Sharma said it was important for Shikhar Dhawan to return to form ahead of the crucial tour of Australia, which will be a completely “different ball game”. Dhawan, who struggled throughout the preceding ODI series against West Indies, returned to form with a smashing 92 off 62 balls to help India beat the visitors by six wickets in the final T20 and complete a 3-0 series sweep.

“It was important from team’s perspective and for the player to get some runs ahead of the important Australia tour. Shikhar was batting well in the ODI series but he was not able to get big scores. I am glad that he could play a match-winning knock in the last T20I before the crucial tour,” Rohit said.

T20s start on Nov 21

India’s tour of Australia starts with a three-match T20 series in Brisbane on November 21. Rohit said the Australia tour would be a completely “different ball-game” and India must take confidence from the 3-0 win. “It is always challenging when it comes to going out there and performing. Every time you go there, you are tested as a player, as an individual and as a team. Australia will be a different ball game,” he said.

He said the team had ticked quite a few boxes during the just-concluded series and fielding was one of them. “We ticked a lot of boxes. Particularly, I am happy how we fielded,” Rohit said.

Rohit, who led India to victory in the Asia Cup before the T20 series triumph over West Indies, said the secret of his captaincy success was to keep things simple. “Every game is a new game. Every time I go out there in the middle, I keep things simple. This game is simple and you need to keep it simple,” he said.

‘Dhoni’s absence big loss’

Asked about the absence of MS Dhoni behind the stumps during the T20 series, Rohit said: “MS was not part of the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka also. His absence is a big loss because his presence in the team itself is a huge boost for a lot of players, especially the younger players.” — Agencies