Shikhar Dhawan on Losing Test Spot, Prithvi Shaw & His New Venture

Cameraperson: Sanjoy Deb
Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui

“My father was a businessman and I always wanted to get into some business as well,” said Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan on the sidelines of launching his new home decor label Da One Home with his wife Aesha.

On Sunday, 28 October, in Mumbai, between the third and fourth ODIs against the touring Windies, the opener launched his new venture in front of close family and friends. His wife stayed back in Australia to nurse their ailing son Zoravar.

The Quint caught up with the ‘Jatt-ji’ of Indian cricket.

First of all, how did your decision to get into home decor come about?

My wife and I like picking things for our home. We always feel that it creates a good energy in the house when you have nice, beautiful and classy things. I felt like we both have a good eye to pick things and decided to start our own things.

Also, I come from a middle-class family and my father used to be a businessman. So, I always wanted to have a business of my own. Right now, I had time to try this out and well, here we are.

Your family lives in Australia. Are you a little disappointed that you won’t be able to play the Test series at your ‘second home’?

I am disappointed to miss the Australia Test series, but it’s fine. I will be going to play the T20 and ODI series. I will try to play well in domestic cricket and try to earn back my Test spot.

Your thoughts on the player who made his debut in your spot? Prithvi Shaw is just 18 and made a century in his very first match for India.

He is a great talent and it is a very big thing to play for India at the age of 18, and at the same time, doing so well in his Test debut. I wish him luck. To play for India at the age of 18 is a very big deal. Not just me, there are so many players who get to play for India at 25 or 26 but he made his debut at 18 and also scored a century. It’s a very big deal.