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This article was first published 10 years ago

'It's always good to end a home series on a high note'

Last updated on: November 27, 2013 21:29 IST

Image: Shikhar Dhawan
Photographs: BCCI

Shikhar Dhawan is in the form of his life since returning to the Indian team last March and wants to maintain the "good habit" of scoring centuries and winning a lot more matches for India across all formats. 

The dashing opener smashed an attacking 119 off only 95 balls, his fifth ODI hundred, as India clinched the ODI series against the West Indies with a comfortable five-wicket victory in the third and final match at the Green Park, in Kanpur, on Wednesday. 

Scorecard

Since his comeback to the squad, he has hit six international tons, including a blazing 187 on Test debut at Mohali. 

- Photos from the match

"I am really thankful to God that he has given me such a beautiful year. I am really happy that I have been scoring lots of centuries.

"It's a good habit and I want to continue this habit by winning lots of matches for my team," an elated Dhawan said, at the post-match press conference after India won the third ODI with 23 balls to spare. 

'This century is going to give me lot of confidence when I travel to South Africa'

Image: Shikhar Dhawan
Photographs: BCCI

For Dhawan, the most satisfying aspect of his century was it helping the team win the match comfortably. 

"I am very happy that I made a century and the team won. I have been getting starts in the last two-three matches, but was not being able to convert them into big scores. It couldn't have been better that I scored a century in the series-deciding match," he said.

India next assignment is the tough tour to South Africa, starting next week, and Dhawan is confident of a good showing in the Rainbow nation.

"It's always good to end a home series on a high note. This century is going to give me lot of confidence when I travel to South Africa."

'I am really looking forward to the South Africa tour'

Image: Shikhar Dhawan
Photographs: BCCI

A few months back, Dhawan went to South Africa with the India 'A' team and scored 248 against its 'A' team in a List A game.

"Of course, the last South Africa tour (with the 'A' team) is in my mind. It adds to my confidence, because I scored lot of runs on South African pitches. That gives me a lot of confidence and I am really looking forward to the South Africa tour," he said.

Giving special importance to the series victory over the struggling West Indies, Dhawan said winning now has become a habit for the Indian team.

"It's a good win for us. We have been winning tournaments on a trot now. We want to continue the momentum and win as many tournaments we can," he added.

'It was amazing to bat with Yuvi paaji'

Image: Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan
Photographs: BCCI

He also had words of appreciation for Yuvraj Singh, who returned to form with a fighting 55 in Wednesday's match. 

"Yuvi paaji was playing well when he came into bat today. He played a beautiful knock and we both had a good partnership.

"For me, it was amazing to bat with Yuvi paaji because I have learnt lots of things from him and look up to him," Dhawan said.