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Rohit Sharma a cool captain, says Shikhar Dhawan

Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 208 at Mohali helped India level the 3-ODI series 1-1.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (r) © AFP
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (r) © AFP

Ahead of third and final One-Day International (ODI) between India  and Sri Lanka, Shikhar Dhawan opened up about his new captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit’s unbeaten 208 at Mohali helped India level the 3-ODI series 1-1 and keep host’s chances of a win alive.

Dhawan in the press-conference at Vishakhapatnam said: “He has only been captain for two matches but I’ve known Rohit from a long time and I know what his character is like. He is a very chilled out captain and tells us to keep the basics right, we all know our roles, we just have to give our best and hats off to him for the way he performed in the last game. Very happy about it.”

Sri Lanka to their credit managed to challenge India at Kolkata and Dharamsala under helpful conditions.

Dhawan also explained the learning from those experiences. He said: “We have learnt a lot of things. Especially when we played in Kolkata (during first Test against SL) and in Dharamsala (first ODI).

It was seaming and it was a damp wicket but we still went in with a positive intent and gave our best and of course, it didn’t go our way but we all learnt from it. It’s good sometimes when you fall, you learn a lots of things out of it.”

On series decider on Sunday

“Of course there is pressure whenever you play a final (decider), there is pressure but we are used to it and there is going to be a big crowd tomorrow.

We are a strong side and we believe in our ability and our skill, we are going to go out and play it like any other game, just do the basics right.”

On his love-affair with Visakhapatnam

Dhawan had a very good run for India B in the Deodhar Trophy early this year. He averaged over 74 and that helped him pave his way back to the national side.

“I’ve always loved coming back to Vizag. Very beautiful city, very clean city and of course the property in which we are living, it has the sea in front of us, it’s beautiful. And of course I did well in the Deodhar Trophy as you said and after that there was a drastic change in my career.

As they say, Vizag is a city of destiny isn’t it? It has been good for me and I always enjoy coming here,” said Dhawan.

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