Disappointed to miss out on double hundred, says Shikhar Dhawan

Disappointed to miss out on double hundred, says Shikhar Dhawan

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Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has admitted that he was disappointed on missing out on his maiden double hundred against Sri Lanka on the first day of the Galle Test. The Delhi batsman has also added that his 190-run innings bore a resemblance to his Test debut against Australia in 2013.

Shikhar Dhawan was included in the Test team at the last moment after first choice opener Murali Vijay was ruled out of the series due to a wrist injury and the 30-year old latched onto the opportunity making an impact on the game straight away. The Indian southpaw smashed 31 boundaries in his 190-run innings to put Sri Lanka on the back foot in the first Test of the series.

The Delhi batsman was nearing his maiden double century when he tried to clear the infield off a Nuwan Pradeep delivery but eventually ended up lobbing the ball into the hands of Angelo Mathews and fell 10 runs short of the double century.

"Of course I was disappointed that I got out on 190 and missed a double hundred. I got out at the wrong time, it was just last over (before Tea). The way I was playing, I thought I could clear the mid-off fielder. I was almost hitting boundary every over. I was in that zone and just backed myself. Bit disappointed that couldn’t score 200 but happy that I scored 190."  Dhawan said in the post-match presser.

Dhawan surpassed his top score of 187 that he had scored on his debut against Australia and the Delhi batsman admitted that the innings more or less resembled his debut innings.

"My debut innings was more like this one. Even against Bangladesh, I scored a quick hundred. But this one was better than that," he said. 

The Delhi batsman weaved a 253-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara and dominated the second session of the play scoring 167 runs in the session. Dhawan revealed that the pitch favoured the batsman and he utilised it to the fullest.

"Wicket is also good and there wasn’t much spin. There was true bounce and pace from the wicket. I feel I batted well too."

The 30-year old was dropped from the team in spite of an exceptional performance in the Champions Trophy and ODI series against the Windies. He also missed out a chance to make it to the team in the long home season. However, Dhawan revealed he did not let the setback let him down.

"I knew if I won’t score runs I could get out of the team. Of course I felt pressure at that moment. When I got out of the side, it hurt me. But I moved on and started playing domestic cricket with Delhi team and was enjoying myself there. One thing about me is that I don’t like to be sad all the time and stay happy. I knew if things have to come they will come my way."

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