WATCH: Shikhar Dhawan Opens His Run Account With A Six After Playing 14 Dot Balls

IND vs WI 3rd ODI: Shikhar Dhawan smacks six after playing 14 dot balls (Image Source: Twitter)

IND vs WI: Shikhar Dhawan, India's go-to man to score runs at crucial stages, was out of action in the previous year due to a lack of ODIs played by India. Many fans thought this is the end for him but he returned to the ODI format in South Africa last month and proved that the opening slot belongs to him in the ODIs. 

Dhawan was sure to open the innings for India in the 3-match home ODI series against West Indies. However, he suffered a setback as he tested positive for Covid along with Shreyas Iyer & Ruturaj Gaikwad just days ahead of the series.

The 36-year old recovered and made his comeback in the 3rd ODI being played on Friday (11th February). He lasted 26 balls on the crease but there's an interesting angle to this innings of his. Out of the 26 balls, he didn't score any run on the first 14 balls and remained on 0 while India lost Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the other end. 

After setting his eye in, Dhawan finally scored the first runs off the 15th ball, and that too with six! Shikhar Dhawan went down the track as he smacked Kemar Roach for a six.

The 74-metre six was smashed over the extra cover and easily disheartened Kemar Roach. The fans were hopeful that we might get to see a 'Dhawan-special' today as he was looking in fine touch. However, the Windies' hero from the 2nd ODI, Odean Smith carried on with his good performance in the 3rd ODI and dismissed Shikhar Dhawan with a catch by Jason Holder at wide slip. Dhawan scored 10 runs in these 26 balls.

While talking about the match, after the loss of early wickets, team India was stabilized by Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant's 110-partnership as both the batters completed fifty. Iyer (62*) and Suryakumar Yadav (2*) are at the crease for team India as the scoreboard reads 159/4 after 32 overs.