Shikhar Dhawan was left out of India's Test squad for the Australia series
Shikhar Dhawan continued where he left off fomr the West Indies T20s in recently concluded three-match T20I series against Australia, smashing 117 runs from two innings and winning the man-of-the-series award in the process.
Dhawan, who was going through a lean patch across all the formats had to pay for it in the longest format of the game as he was replaced by Prithvi Shaw for the West Indies series. Shaw grabbed the opportunity with both hands and Murali Vijay's good run in county cricket got him back into the Test fold for the four-match series Down Under.
Therefore, Dhawan had to be left out with India going with Shaw, Vijay and Rahul as their openers. Dhawan, who has played 34 Tests and scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, was initially disappointed with the snub but he has "moved on" from it.
"Yes, I was a bit sad but I have moved on and I am in a good frame of mind. I am in a happy positive mood. I am enjoying my game. I have got a bit off time and I am going to enjoy my training and get myself fitter. I am happy and once I am happy things go well for me," Dhawan told ESPN Cricinfo.
The 32-year-old feels that India have a good team and consistent cricket can help the visitors win the four-match series that starts on December 6 in Adelaide.
"I think we have got a very good chance to win the series here. We have to play good complete cricket in all three departments whether it's batting, bowling or fielding and also catching. We have to be consistent and then we will have a good chance of beating Australia," said Dhawan, who will be turning 33 in a week's time.
For personal goals, the southpaw is now focusing on his limited-overs format. He is set to play Ranji Trophy games for Delhi but his main aim is to slowly prepare himself for the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, which starts in May 2019.
"I am going to give my best. I am a big believer in process and once I get it right, other things will follow on its own. Of course, we would like to bring the World Cup back home," he exuded confidence.
According to him, he has done well in England in the past and hopefully that will help him score big this time around as well.
"I have done well in both Champions Trophies in England and with my experience, I hope to score a lot of runs in World Cup and give good starts and sail through so that we can get the Cup back.
