Cuttack: As Indian openers pounded the hapless Sri Lankans to rattle up a 231-run stand, Shikhar Dhawan said it was a good sign for the Indian team that top-order batsmen were in good form and his own confidence has shot up after playing a century-knock today.
Dhawan top scored for India with a 113-run knock while Man of the Match Ajinkya Rahane scored 111 as the two openers set the foundation for India's huge total in the first ODI against Sri Lanka.
"It's a very good sign for the team that our openers are scoring runs consistently. It's very important to have a strong base whenever batting first or chasing," Dhawan said at the post match media interaction.
"When you play such a knock, the self confidence gets a big boost and involve yourself in such a big partnership, it's a happy feeling," the left-hander added.
Asked with whom he relishes opening the batting more -- with Rohit Sharma or Rahane -- Dhawan gave a safe answer.
"I really enjoyed batting with both of them. Hopefully they too enjoy batting with me. Both have their own styles. It's team's call, I can't answer. I love batting with both of them."
"When myself and Rohit used to open, we used to do the same thing. We are very fortunate that we three openers are there with the Indian team who can give the consistency," he said.
Even as the Indian bowlers had the luxury of defending a huge total of 363/5, Dhawan was effusive in his praise for the manner in which pacmen intimidated the opposition.
"They bowled with lot of discipline and good to see Ishant taking four wickets in his comeback match. They bowled really good line and length with great pace. I really appreciate the way they generated pace.
"It was not easy for the batsmen. It's a very good sign that India is producing good fast bowlers, we are fortunate to have bowlers clocking 145kph. It brings fear on the opposition batsmen."
On his century that came almost after a year, he said: "I wanted to get set and play the bowlers on merit. It's a very good feeling, first match we won by big margin. It gives a lot of confidence to the team. It's good to see openers scoring got a two hundred partnership."
India had a watchful start with 43 from the first powerplay and Dhawan blamed the wicket.
"At the start it was seaming and swinging a bit. It wasn't easy like the usual Indian wicket, that's why we gave a bit of time and waited for the ball to get old before taking it forward.
