Shikhar Dhawan Eyes India Comeback in 2017 Champions Trophy

Dhawan hopes to perform well in the few domestic tournaments coming up this year.

Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo: Reuters)

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan is eyeing a comeback into the India team at the ICC Champions Trophy in June by performing well in the few domestic tournaments lined up ahead of the event in England.

I have 2 to 3 months and 3 to 4 tournaments. I will do better. In ODIs my performance has been top-notch, I feel that if I do good (in these tournaments), there will be a great chance for me to get into the side.

Shikhar Dhawan

The 31-year-old left hander was dropped for the third and final ODI against England after making 1 and 11 in the first two games. Dhawan was ignored for the five-Test series against England after not doing well in the preceding three-Test rubber against New Zealand.

Part of the North Zone squad for the Mushtaq Ali trophy T20 inter zonals starting in Mumbai on Sunday, Shikhar is confident he will perform consistently well to get back into the Indian team.

If I have to make a comeback the thing is simple – the more runs I score will be more beneficial for me and my case will be stronger. I am an impact player, so if I stand and score runs, my team is going to win the game. That is my biggest strength and once I start doing it more consistently, it is going to be good for me and I will have a good chance of making a comeback.

Shikhar Dhawan

tracksspinningOn the upcoming four-Test series against Australia, beginning on 23 February in Pune, Dhawan believes the visitors will find batting on spinning tracks tough. “Australia have been doing well and India is performing well. It's going to be tough for the Australian boys to perform on turning tracks. Australian tracks are totally different," said the batsman.

(With inputs from PTI.)