IPL 2021: Increased my strike rate because I wanted to be the impact player for the team – Shikhar Dhawan

Delhi Capitals veteran opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has revealed that he increased his tempo and strike rate as he wanted to be the impact player for the team.

Earlier, Dhawan’s strike rate was in the mid 120s but the southpaw batsman has now made a conscious effort to increase his strike rate and the results are palpable.

Dhawan has been a consistent performer for Delhi Capitals in the last couple of years and he has delivered the goods while opening the innings. The left-hander is making the most of the powerplay conditions and he is finding gaps with perfection.

The Delhi batter had scored 618 runs in the previous season of IPL and had scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 144.73. Dhawan has continued his good form in the ongoing season as he is currently the highest run-getter with 422 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 131.87 and an impressive average of 52.75.

Thus, it was a surprise when Dhawan was not included in India’s T20 World Cup squad as he has improved his T20 batting and has all the experience under his belt.

Dhawan once again scored a crucial knock of 42 runs off 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the team’s opening game of the second phase. The left-hander’s knock helped his team in chasing down 135 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Dhawan also heaped praise on Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje for their sublime bowling performance.

Dhawan said in the post-match presentation, “I’m enjoying wearing the cap, I’m enjoying the way I’m timing the ball. Not very true, this surface, it stopped a bit, and we had to plan the game according to the wicket. So it was good to go out there and secure a win. I consciously made an effort to increase the tempo and strike-rate, because I wanted to be an impacful player for my side. It was just about the execution. Rabada and Nortje are our gun bowlers. Rabada always gets us the wicket. Nortje has great pace and his game has improved too, so they are troubling the batsmen. Absolutely enjoying being at the top of the table”.

Dhawan will look to continue the good show and he is going to hold the key for Delhi Capitals for the rest of the season. Delhi Capitals will next face Rajasthan Royals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on 25th September.