After IPL spotlight,Dhawan toils under sun

Before Mumbai Indians,Rishi Dhawan was just a regular player featuring in FCI squad.

Before Mumbai Indians won the recently concluded sixth edition of the Indian Premier League,Rishi Dhawan was just a regular player featuring in the Food Corporation of India squad. And while Dhawan might seem to have a modest outing with two wickets in his six matches,the bragging rights that come with being part of an IPL champion side are clearly worth something.

While his Ranji Trophy credentials always gave him the status of a utility all-rounder,Dhawan’s stature as a senior and dependable player in this FCI side have only increased in the last few weeks. And rather than resting on his reputation and taking it easy in the capital’s gruelling hot weather season,the 23-year-old Himachal all-rounder has continued to justify it for his team.

Dhawan played a crucial role in FCI’s win in the final of the Lala Raghubir Singh Hot Weather tournament last week. In a close run chase,he picked up a four wicket haul against Telfunken including three in the final over.

Story continues below this ad

Dhawan says it was never an option to skip the club season. Match practice is very important. I never felt like taking a break after the IPL because I feel form is what helps you to stay in the game. Delhi’s club league gives you a lot of match practice and the tough competition motivates you to give your best every time, said Dhawan,talking to the Sportline from his home Sirmour,in Himachal Pradesh.

With FCI scheduled to lock horns against Sporting Cricket Club in the final of the GG Dutt cricket tournament on June 16,Dhawan will be travelling back from his hometown Sirmaur,in Himachal. It isn’t an option he prefers. Travelling sometimes becomes very hectic and mostly when I know that I have to play consecutive matches,I prefer staying in Delhi rather than commuting back and forth. Although,we have rest days of two to three days between each match but still I stay in Delhi.

I do not believe in taking a long break from the game because I follow a regular fitness routine that helps me to recover quickly and the strength work I do helps me to play continuous cricket, he says.

Dhawan in a way is also keeping the next domestic season in mind. Playing all these matches are very important as I am getting a quality practice for my domestic season. Match practice is what makes a player different from others and I am happy I am getting that enough in Delhi, Dhawan says.

Dream debut

Story continues below this ad

Speaking about his IPL stint,Dhawan says he couldn’t have had a better debut. Although Dhawan did make it in the Kings XI Punjab squad in the previous edition but Mumbai Indians gave him a chance. There are a few players who debut and end up winning the IPL and it was a great experience. I had a chance to interact with all the senior players and every body was so helpful.

The coaches helped us how to become mentally strong in shorter format and asked us to follow the basics. Even when I bowled during the finals,there was hardly any pressure because I knew I just have to follow basics and try not to bowl any extras. That worked for me and when I play in Delhi,that learning helps me to perform really well, Dhawan says.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram