In the following three-match One-Day International series, which begins on Friday in Auckland, Team India will take on New Zealand. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, a left-handed batter, will lead the team. Dhawan will captain the team for the third time in 2022. He has done so before, first in the West Indies ODI series and then in the home ODI series against South Africa (Dhawan also led Team India in the away Sri Lanka series last year when the main team was in England). 

It is important to note that the batter was also named captain for the Zimbabwe series.

However, KL Rahul came back into the team at the last minute after recovering from his injury, and he was named captain. Dhawan was questioned prior to the first ODI against New Zealand about his reaction to his sudden removal as Zimbabwe series captain.

“You have asked a good question. I consider myself fortunate that I am getting an opportunity to lead the side at this stage of my career. I feel good about it and it is a challenge. We have won good series with a young side. If I talk about the Zimbabwe tour, KL Rahul is the vice-captain of our main team, when he came back, I was mindful of the fact that he had to go to Asia Cup. If Rohit had gotten injured during Asia Cup, then KL might have been asked to lead. So it was better that he had the practice during the Zimbabwe tour. I was not hurt. I feel that whatever happens, happens for the best. I was then selected as the captain for the South Africa series, the selectors and the team management gave me that opportunity. I never feel bad,”

Dhawan said during a pre-match press conference.

Talking about the 2023 World Cup, and how having options such as himself, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to open might prove as a headache for the team:

“We guys have been performing well for a period of time. At the same time, talking about myself, I have to keep performing. I know till the time I perform,  it would be good for me. It keeps me on my toes and keeps me hungry.”

Dhawan said

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When asked about how he ensures that mental health stays in top shape in this social media age: 

“On social media, there is trolling. We are used to it now, smart people know how to go about using social media. They know if they don’t perform, what kind of chatter will take place on social media. It totally depends on our performance. When you know it, there is no need of looking into it. That’s how I deal with it.”,

Dhawan concluded

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— Deep Haze (@dee__jay) November 24, 2022