IPL 2023: Shikhar Dhawan Wants to Increase His Scoring Rate

Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shikhar Dhawan smashed a match-winning 86 not out off 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday and the southpaw insisted that he has made a conscious effort to improve his strike rate in every game he is playing. Dhawan’s innings coupled with a brilliant spell from Nathan Ellis helped PBKS register their second win of the ongoing season to go second on the points table.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings continued their winning run against the Rajasthan Royals in the second home ground of the Royals in Guwahati on Wednesday, April 5. Skipper Dhawan led the way with the bat and top-scored for his team in the first innings. Playing with responsibility, Dhawan started slowly with young opener Prabhsimran Singh taking the attack to the bowlers in the powerplay. Once he got out on 60, Dhawan started accelerating and got to his half-century off 36 balls.

With him holding one end, other batters like Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, and Sam Curran got the license of going all out against the Royals bowlers. However, none of them couldn’t support their skipper well. After coming on as an opener, Dhawan carried his bat and ended with 86 not out off 56 balls at a strike rate of 153.57. His innings powered his team to a mammoth total of 197 in the allotted 20 overs.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Dhawan said that he is trying his best to increase his strike rate. With a long batting line-up, Dhawan remains focused on playing with an aggressive mindset while also respecting the opposition.

Adamant Dhawan Wants to Bat with a Higher Strike Rate

“These two matches, we’ve gotten a great start playing well and I’m doing my best to increase my strike rate. The wicket brings momentum back quickly. This year we have a deep batting lineup so we keep momentum going hitting boundaries and put pressure on the other team. You have to respect that the other team has come to play and will bowl some good overs as well but we have to keep the intent and aggression going,” Shikhar Dhawan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Being the leader of the team, Dhawan understands his responsibility well. He has been brilliant so far with the bat and as captain too. Under his leadership, PBKS won both their games. During Punjab’s IPL 2023 opener against KKR, the left-handed batter missed out on a half-century, scoring 40 off 29 balls as his team emerged victorious by 7 runs (DLS method). He compensated by scoring 86 not out in the second league game.