Colombo: Team India opener Prithvi Shaw has said he shares a special bond with fellow opener and captain for Sri Lanka series Shikhar Dhawan as they spend a lot of time together.Prithvi Shaw’s quick knock of 43 from 24 balls was one of the highlights of the first ODI of the three-match series here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Shikhar Dhawan (86*) and Ishan Kishan (59) starred with the bat as India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets and gained a 1-0 lead in the series.
Shikhar Dhawan and I open together for Delhi Capitals. Although we were good friends before Delhi Capitals, but opening together has made our bond stronger. Off the field, we used to spend a lot of time together, whether it was having dinner together or chilling in his room, Prithvi Shaw said on Star Sports’ show Follow The Blues.
We used to talk a lot and our bond was visible on the wicket (during the game). Whether it was off the field or between the overs, we used to talk a lot. I thoroughly enjoy practising with him, he added.
Shaw also shared his thoughts about playing for Team India. The opener said, When I play for India or any other team, I always put the team forward. So, obviously, I want to go there and win the series for India. If you ask me personally, I want to grab this opportunity, because I have got an opportunity after a long time.
The second ODI between India and Sri Lanka will now be played today. Earlier, India kept on taking wickets at regular intervals, but Chamika Karunaratne’s unbeaten 43-run knock helped Sri Lanka post 262/9. For India, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Deepak Chahar returned with two wickets each.
On his part, Dhawan, said, ‘The way the young boys play IPL, get so much exposure, their confidence level is very high. The way Prithvi and Ishan batted, they finished the game in first 15 overs. I thought about it (his hundred) but there were not many runs left. So the focus was on being not out. Even when Surya came in and batted, it looked so easy. I was like maybe I have to improve my skill.’