I switched my focus from competition to contribution, says Dhawan

Over the course of time, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has moved away from competing to contributing. Dhawan has been back in the Indian team for the third ODI after being infected with COVID-19 before the series against the West Indies started.

Dhawan says he felt competition (4-5 years ago) used to bother him, but now he is focused on contributing to the side. "(When I contribute), I feel like I don't have any competition,".

He says he is in good rhythm and thrilled with going for five fifties (in the last nine innings) or 70-80 runs. He missed out on centuries as well, which he reflects on. At the same time, I am extremely happy with the way I am playing the game and the impact I am having on it."

Dhawan believes his mind is focused more on playing based on the situation of the game, instead of chasing centuries.

However, I ensure that I don't just focus on scores, but also what the game requires at a given point in time. If I have to play a bit more aggressively, or I have to stay on the wicket, I have to create a more proactive approach said Dhawan. 

With COVID-19 now behind him, Dhawan is looking forward to play in the final ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium. I didn't hear that sound for a long time. I enjoyed hearing that, and the wickets in the nets here are good. I prefer batting on bouncy tracks, and I look forward to opening my account today. 

The 36-year-old signed off by revealing how he coped with isolation due to COVID-19. "I was playing flute in my room (during isolation). I was enjoying the poetry as well, had a good off-time and I am fresh now."