IPL 2018: Shikhar Dhawan lands home hoping to crank up runs

Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan hasn’t regained his touch since an elbow injury suffered earlier in IPL 2018 but gets a chance at his home ground Ferozeshah Kotla versus Delhi Daredevils.

cricket Updated: May 09, 2018 21:54 IST

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Shikhar Dhawan has managed 198 runs in nine games so far in IPL 2018. (AFP)

One of the players to drive India to comprehensive wins over South Africa in the limited-overs series this year was opener Shikhar Dhawan. He helped India get off to solid starts, stringing partnerships and ensuring not much burden was on the middle and lower-middle order. (IPL 2018 FULL COVERAGE)

Coming into IPL, especially with David Warner absent, much was expected of him considering Sunrisers Hyderabad’s middle order was weaker than the other teams. He was even tipped to replace Warner as skipper.

While the captaincy went to Kane Williamson, runs too have deserted Dhawan, who has made just 198 runs in nine matches, averaging around 28. The numbers would have been worse but for his unbeaten 78 in the first match, though an elbow injury didn’t helped his cause.

On Thursday, he will return to the Ferozeshah Kotla, his home ground. It could be the inspiration he is looking for.

No form issues

SRH coach Tom Moody denied Dhawan is out of form.

“Shikhar came into this tournament in really good form. He showed that in early parts of the tournament (making 78 not out and 45 against Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians). He had a setback with an injury and that has also set back his momentum a little bit.

“He certainly doesn’t look to be a player out of form. So, for me, whether it is tomorrow night or next in Pune, he is going to make an impact. Good players like Shikhar don’t suddenly disappear from the face of the earth. They’ll come back and hurt someone. Maybe tomorrow night it is.”

Moody also said his team has played on some tough pitches that prevented SRH from putting up big totals.

Kiwi batsman Colin Munro, the Delhi Daredevils opener, agreed.

“Some of the wickets have been a lot drier than they have in IPL in the past. The wicket last night (Rajasthan Royals beat Kings XI Punjab in Jaipur on Tuesday) started spinning from early on, which in powerplay is unusual,” Munro said on Wednesday.

However, the Ferozeshah Kotla wicket is expected to be more batting friendly. And that could see a change of fortunes for Dhawan.