CHENNAI: The last time Shikhar Dhawan donned India whites, was against New Zealand back in September last year. His patchy form along with a thumb injury forced him out of the Test team as India went from strength to strength and cemented their spot atop the Test rankings.
He missed the last 11 Test matches as the selectors preferred KL Rahul and Murali Vijay up top. His form was so woeful that even Gautam Gambhir returned to the team and Abhinav Mukund also made a comeback of sorts.
However, a run-filled IPL made sure he made the Champions Trophy bus where he was the standout performer with the bat once again. His Test status, however, was still in doubt as the selectors preferred Rahul and Vijay with the southpaw not figuring in the scheme of things.
Despite India’s dominant run in Test cricket, musical chairs with the opening slot kept plaguing the side. Before the current tour, injury curse strike again as both Rahul and Vijay were ruled out. The pressure was definitely on Dhawan. “He was going through a pretty bad patch. However, runs in England and West Indies definitely helped his case. He gained in confidence and that showed on the opening day in Galle. An aggressive Dhawan, when in full-flow is a treat to watch,” former India batsman Lalchand Rajput told Express.
And aggressive he was, making 126 runs between lunch and tea. Only three batsmen have scored more. He treated both pacers and spinners with equal disdain as he scored his fifth Test ton. Incidentally, his last century also came at the same venue. Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka’s match-winner last time around, bore the brunt of his onslaught. “I was happy, of course, to make a comeback to the Test side. Unfortunately, Vijay wasn’t fit. I had a good run before this Test series (in the Champions Trophy) and I just came with the same mindset and the same confidence.
I did the same process in the nets and got myself ready for this match,” Dhawan told at the end of day’s play. “The wicket was also good and there wasn’t much spin. But it still has true bounce and good pace from the wicket.”
Things could have been a lot more different had Asela Gunaratne not dropped him on 31. He didn’t give the bowlers an inch after the reprieve. “Conditions in Sri Lanka definitely favour Dhawan. He likes playing against them and it showed. Despite people taking the series for granted, it’s never easy playing against the Lankans in their own backyard,” Rajput added.
The 31-year-old has given selectors a happy headache. The opening slot has seen players come and go and with the innings, Dhawan has left selectors more options to choose from especially when more bigger challenges lie in South Africa and New Zealand. “Competition for places is good and we have a wealth of riches in the opening department. We also have three-four players with different styles. A right-left combination should be there and if Dhawan continues in the same vein, then it will definitely help India in the long run,” Rajput said.
ayantan@newindianexpress.com